AI and the Transformation of Accountability and Discretion in Urban Governance

This article offers an analysis of the transformative role of AI in urban governance, focusing on how AI can reshape the relationship between bureaucratic discretion and accountability. Drawing on case studies, it shows that AI can strengthen managerial oversight, improve consistency in service delivery, and expand citizen access to information. To address these changes in accountability and risks, the paper proposes five principles for responsible AI use in governance.