Defining “waste” in AI-urbanism

Digital technologies are embedded in virtually all urban infrastructure and are increasingly automating many public services. Once referred to as ‘smart city technologies’, these technologies often come with the promise of increasing the ‘sustainability’ of cities. Together with advances in machine learning and AI, and their application to urban systems, some argue that we are now in the era of AI urbanism. Similar to the goals of smart cities, AI technologies are also being used to increase efficiency and improve monitoring of the city, with the aim of achieving sustainability.
However, the production of digital technologies, especially AI infrastructures, comes with high environmental costs, including ever increasing e-waste. However, this waste often poses a threat to the most disadvantaged parts of the world instead of where these technologies are primarily deployed. Against this background, this project aims to examine the concept of waste in AI urbanism from a broad perspective. For example, the project will include the smart applications of waste management in the city as well as considering the waste created from implementing AI technologies in urban infrastructures. As a first step, a literature review and discourse analysis will be conducted to conceptualise ‘waste’ for AI urbanism. This study will be the first step towards a larger research grant application for a multi-site empirical study. The fellow will take part in the project in two ways: first, they will conduct a literature review on ‘waste’ in relation to smart urbanism as well as a theoretical concept. Secondly, they will help collect relevant policy documents from the local governments in London towards a discourse analysis on waste policies.
This would constitute the background of both an initial publication and the subsequent research grant applications.

Initially, the intern will be expected to conduct a literature review on “waste”, guided by me as to which journals and books to focus on, what key words to use and so on. Additionally, the fellow will also contribute to a survey of waste policies in relation to smart city planning in London. After the initial stage, the literature survey will become a journal article to be published in a prestigious journal such as Environment and Planning D or AI and Society.

The fellow would benefit from this experience on several levels: first, conducting a systematic and comprehensive literature review would hone their skills in analysis, organization, critical thinking, and writing. All of these would be useful in a career involving research in addition to helping in their further academic studies. Second, the specific topic would provide them with insight into the environmental impact of digital technologies as well as developing a grasp of AI technologies in the urban context. Finally, they would develop their teamwork skills, which would be very useful in whatever career path they choose. All in all, this experience would provide the fellow with numerous advantages for a future career in a non-profit or private sector as well as in their pursuit of further higher education. I am keen to continue to mentor the fellow and provide references and help in their future career after the completion of the fellowship.

A background and interest in cultural studies, STS, geography or digital media studies would be necessary. More particularly, an interest in environmental studies, climate change, urban studies, ecomedia and/or digital infrastructures would be advantageous. There is no particular need for technical skills, but a genuine interest in conducting literature research – especially in the mentioned areas- would be desirable. In order to contribute to the publication, the intern would be expected have good written communication and editing skills.

I’d be happy to support blog posts in our department’s blog as well as other outlets.

This is the start of a potentially bigger and multi-party project which will hopefully turn into a bigger grant application in the near future. I’d be happy to support the intern by including them in the future of the project and work on future collaboration.

1. Please send your CV and a brief cover letter outlining your interest and suitability to the project supervisor(s). Please contact the project supervisor(s) in advance of submitting the application with any questions.

2. If selected by the project supervisor

• LISS DTP students must then complete the LISS DTP Placement /Internship Application form. This ensures that there is approval of PhD supervisor, and the necessary information is obtained to extend funding (for DTP1 students) or confirm placement requirement fulfilled (for DTP2 students), and to fulfil ESRC reporting obligations. LISS DTP approval must be given before the RA internship can commence.
• Other ESRC-funded DTP students should follow the internship application processes from their home DTP.

Please note for LISS DTP students:

• Research Assistant Internships must not be undertaken with the student’s current supervisor and/or home department.
• DTP1 students (those whose funding commenced before Oct24): a maximum of 4 Research Assistant internships will be funded. These will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Once the 4 DTP1 places are filled, we will inform PIs that only DTP2 students are eligible for the Research Assistant internships. PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL DTP1 PLACES HAVE NOW BEEN FILLED.
• DTP2 students (those whose funding commenced from Oct24): are required to complete a 3-month placement, which is funded through their studentship. No limits to number that can be funded.
• Reports: at the conclusion of the internship, the student will be required to complete an internship report, which will include a question for the internship host to feedback on the internship.

Contact liss-dtp@kcl.ac.uk with any questions.