THE CAIRO CHARTER DESIGN SPRINT

ABOUT THE CHARTER

The Cairo Charter is a collective work-in-progress that composes a future-forward framework for Urban AI in Cairo. Drafted with inputs from hundreds of participants, the charter will provide a series of guidelines for an ecologically and socially just integration of Urban AI into the city fabric. All too often, the introduction of new technologies focuses resources, capacity, and attention on developments that undermine social and ecological life, work, and values. The goal of The Cairo Charter is to guide government, businesses, civil society organizations, and others in integrating and incorporating Urban AI into their work and services. Thinking critically and co-constructively about Urban AI as a collective opportunity supports its application towards ecologically and sociologically just and equitable outcomes.

The Cairo Charter is funded by HSRC (Humanities and Social Research Council) and Facebook. The initiative has hosted three workshops, bringing together people from across careers and disciplines to work together to understand the needs and capacities for Urban AI and data in the context of Cairo’s urban and cultural ecology. We continue to map existing initiatives and social forces and pressures that shape what is possible in Cairo and in the region as a whole.

ABOUT THE DESIGN SPRINT

An Urban AI Design Sprint invites groups to explore and propose specific applications and explorations for Urban AI in Cairo that can be added to the Charter.

On August 21st from 10am-6pm, groups from across Cairo (both pre-existing groups, and groups assembled specifically for the Design Sprint) will come together to create writings or project proposals that contribute to the charter during a day-long collaboration session. Group projects will explore the integration of Urban AI into Cairo systems and services--and can be expressed in the form of technological designs, writings, urban plans, concept notes, policy proposals, etc. Projects that benefit particular sectors are encouraged. Mentors with expertise in AI, design, and social and ecological justice will support project development throughout the day. Groups might develop contributions on issues like transportation, waste management, ecological resilience, urban agriculture, security, public data, health, and others.

A total of $1000 in cash prizes will be awarded for the most impressive contributions. All groups who make a compelling project will be acknowledged through an URBAN AI DESIGN SPRINT certificate, and will be cited for their contribution to the charter, which will be publicly published at the end of 2021.

The Design Sprint will be held both in person at the Smart Cities Lab at Ain Shams University and online. You do not need to attend in person to participate.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE

Groups can be of any age, expertise, and design perspective. Groups do not need expertise in AI or machine learning to participate. We welcome groups who want to contribute projects that investigate how particular social groups across gender, age, and identity can benefit from Urban AI. We also welcome individuals, who we can help to find or join a group. While the Design Sprint will focus on inviting groups living and working in Cairo, we welcome contributions from anywhere in the world.

The Design Sprint will be held primarily in English, but Arabic, French, and groups primarily speaking in other languages are welcome to participate. The Cairo Charter will be published in English and Arabic.

REGISTER

Groups or individuals should register by August 14th here:

https://forms.gle/eTmo1CMfGjwAbmi2A

SCHEDULE

10-11 Orientation & Overview

11-1pm Brainstorming / Lunch

1-5pm Designing & Writing (w/ Mentor feedback)

5pm Submission

5:30-6pm Winners Announced

Videos and articles on Urban AI are available to help teams understand the concepts and issues at stake during the Design Sprint. See resources here.