2026/06/12 by Igor Calzada, EIZAGUIRRE ITZIAR · 2 voices
Engineering · Social Sciences · #Digital Economy and Work Transformation #Ethics and Social Impacts of AI #Smart Cities and Technologies
paper · doi:10.5281/zenodo.20664491
openalex publication_date 2026/06/12 · openalex created_date 2026/06/13 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/01
This article examines the implementation of Anticipatory Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance within the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa (Basque Country) through an action research project designed to inform a Digital Inclusion Strategy led by the General Directorate for Human Rights and Democratic Culture (Presidency). Situating the study within debates on anticipatory governance, the article addresses the following research question: how can city-regional governments operationalize anticipatory AI governance to advance territorial digital inclusion while safeguarding democratic accountability and human digital rights? The project moves beyond industrial and productivity-centered approaches to AI, focusing instead on its ethical, socio-economic, and territorial implications for citizens. The action research follows an eight-step methodological roadmap driven by Science for Policy approach (2024–2026): (i) alignment with the II Diversity Plan; (ii) the UIK International Summer School on Digital Inclusion & Generative AI (https://www.uik.eus/en/activity/digital-inclusion-generative-artificial-intelligence-gipuzkoa-socially-cohesive-digitally); (iii) collaboration with six NGOs (Aniztasunaren Sarea) to establish a Digital Inclusion & Generative AI Decalogue; (iv) dissemination via local media; (v) academic engagement through Discover Cities (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44327-025-00116-9) and ICA2025 (https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11352770); (vi) fieldwork across seven governmental departments; (vii) engagement with 11 municipalities through ElkarBizi intermunicipal network; and (viii) international dissemination at AAG2026 (https://aag-meetings.secure-platform.com/aag2026/gallery/rounds/149/details/87672). Methodologically, the project integrates a triangulated design structured around Science for Policy through (i) Knowledge Exchange, (ii) Stakeholder Engagement, and (iii) Open-Science Dissemination. Findings indicate that embedding anticipatory AI governance within territorial inclusion strategies strengthens policy foresight, enhances ethical reflexivity in algorithmic decision-making, and consolidates public trust. The Gipuzkoa model offers a replicable framework for territorial AI governance grounded in inclusion, transparency, and democratic innovation.