The 2024 Berlin Summer School of Artificial Intelligence and Society took place from September 09-13, 2024, at the main campus of TU Berlin. It focused on "AI and the Urban: Making cities smart(er)?". The event was jointly organized by the BIFOLD Graduate School, the Cluster of Excellence "Science of Intelligence" (SCIoI) and the research group "Digitalization, Sustainability and Participation" at the Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society in Berlin.

Berlin is facing numerous challenges, including modernizing public administration, adapting to climate change, improving traffic planning, regulating the housing market, and creating incentives for sustainable lifestyles through citizen involvement. Addressing these issues in highly complex, human-centered urban systems calls for innovative solutions supported by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, requiring a uniquely multidisciplinary and ethical approach.

AI in Urban Development: Challenges and Opportunities

Participants and speakers from BIFOLD, SCIoI, the Weizenbaum Institute, TU Berlin and other universities and research institutes in Germany and Europe discussed how AI can help understand urban processes and tackle challenges such as climate change, public administration, and sustainable mobility. The program emphasized the complexities and resource demands of AI implementation, focusing on opportunities and risks for sustainable urban development. Young researchers from diverse disciplines explored new perspectives on their work by learning about interdisciplinary methods, fostering a deeper understanding of AI’s transformative potential in smart cities.

Keynote Insights on AI, Human Intelligence, and Smart City Innovations

Keynotes addressed the distinction between human and machine intelligence, focusing on the unique ability of humans to solve complex dynamic real-world problems (John-Dylan Haynes, Science of Intelligence/Charité Berlin), the use of machine learning and AI for efficient monitoring, optimizing and forecasting aspects relevant to climate change in urban areas mitigation efforts (Lynn Kaack, Hertie School, Berlin), NebulaStream, an innovative open-source system, currently being built to address challenges arising in modern data-driven applications such as smart manufacturing, healthcare, and the Internet of Things (Volker Markl, BIFOLD/TU Berlin) and how digitalization and surveillance in Songdo Smart City extend the concept of "home" beyond individual ownership to create a sense of belonging and propriety encompassing the entire urban environment (Jörg Stollmann, TU Berlin).

Hands-On Learning and Reflection: Practical Workshops and Excursion

Participants attended in-depth lectures and practical workshops to dive deeper into specific topics, e.g., on public administration, the current shift towards people-centred smart cities, enhancing the efficiency and quality of urban services, reflecting on real-life cases of (un)ethical AI deployment, accurate open source mapping, AI for the public interest and safety in bicycle traffic. 

During an excursion to the Urban Tech Republic at the former airport Berlin Tegel, participants gained an overview of the Smart City activities in Berlin TXL. Further, throughout the week, participants worked in interdisciplinary teams regarding learning, reflection and dynamic exchange on the potential failures and successes of working with AI in cities. 
An exciting and inspiring week - we extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for their commitment and to all organizers for their preparation.