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Eakin, H., R. Shelton, J. Siqueiros-Garcia, L. Charli-Joseph, and D. Manuel-Navarrete. 2019. Loss and social-ecological transformation: pathways of change in Xochimilco, Mexico. Ecology and Society 24(3):15. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-11030-240315

State-centered and hierarchical government strategies based on technocratic top-down approaches have proved inadequate to address multiple interacting and cross-scale risks. In contrast, multilevel governance (MLG) provides a form of governance by networks that operate both in a horizontal arena with neighboring local governments, civil society organizations, and local communities, and in vertical settings, with higher-level governmental authorities and international organizations. In this paper, we examined the role and experience of local governments in a multilevel governance system for risk management in Mexico City. We sought to understand what collaborative resources local governments have to address multiple risks in Mexico City? How do they mobilize these resources in specific actions to address a risk, and how do they interact with different levels on diverse organizational scales? Our results show that resources for vertical and horizontal collaboration were key for local governments for coordination to address multiple risks. We found that collaboration was more common between local governments and with the subnational government. Also, the most common actions focused on forecasting and prevention, as well as preparedness and relief of multiple risks. We found evidence of successful elements of multilevel governance and identified the need for further research on the engagement and representation for non-governmental organizations and private actors in networks of risk management. The results from this study provide a better understanding of the arrangement of collaborative resources underlying local government actions under a state of urgency and scarcity, where action cannot wait for institutional change.

This chapter reviews existing initiatives to include societal perspectives in AI governance and technology design and introduces the ‘Artificial Intelligence for Assessment’ (AI FORA) approach applied to AI use in public social service provision. The chapter starts with reviewing contemporary AI governance frameworks which still need to be translated into multi-stakeholder governance and inclusive technology co-design. For this, the emerging field of ‘Participatory AI’ seems to bear promise. After identifying and discussing the participatory requirements for inclusive technology co-design, especially related to the safe and effective participation of vulnerable groups, the chapter introduces the AI FORA approach. The participatory AI FORA approach starts with the assumption that the gap between technology and society, in this case the disconnect of dynamic cultural values from AI-based social assessment, leads to fairness issues of existing systems. To connect cultural values to technology production for more desirable systems, society, i.e. all societal groups stakeholding in this area of technological innovation, needs to get involved in technology production and policy. The chapter presents the participatory research methods AI FORA employs to achieve inclusive technology co-design around the project’s ‘Safe Spaces’ concept that ensures equitable participation of stakeholders in AI-based social assessment for public service provision. The chapter ends with a reflection on the claims of inclusive technology co-design, the consequences for related science communication in AI, and the impacts on AI policy and governance.