The introduction of artificial intelligence into Barcelona’s urban structures is becoming one of the most significant technological moves in recent years. The municipality is launching a new strategy that is already affecting the daily lives of residents and the work of city officials. The decisions made now will shape how citizens access services and what role technology will play in city governance.
As El Pais notes, since 2021, Barcelona has tested various digital tools, but now a comprehensive program is underway. The new plan, titled “Estrategia para la adopción ética, democrática y sostenible de la IA,” calls for the integration of AI into key areas of urban life. Among the first projects are a virtual assistant for housing issues, automatic translators for social services, and digital assistants to streamline bureaucratic procedures.
Technology for residents
A virtual assistant for rental and property purchase questions is already operating on the municipality’s website. It can answer questions in three languages and helps reduce staff workload by handling standard inquiries. According to El Pais, this speeds up information delivery and makes services more accessible to a wider range of people.
The city will soon purchase 180 portable automatic translation devices. These are intended for employees who interact daily with a multilingual public at service centers and social agencies. The devices have already been tested in refugee and emergency response departments. This approach helps to overcome language barriers and speeds up the resolution of everyday issues.
Internal processes
The municipality is working with Barcelona Supercomputing Center to develop tools that will speed up the issuance of licenses and the processing of subsidy applications. Plans include implementing analytics systems to assess how city projects and events affect transport and mobility. Authorities emphasize that automation will not result in job losses but will free staff from routine tasks, allowing them to focus on more complex and important matters.
Human oversight remains a key part of the strategy. All decisions made with the help of AI will undergo a final review by experts. This should reduce the risk of errors and ensure transparency in the work of new systems.
Ethical standards
The city administration is placing special emphasis on the ethical aspects of AI implementation. Key priorities include protecting personal data, ensuring algorithm transparency, addressing possible bias, and supporting inclusivity. As part of the strategy, a dedicated ‘Oficina de la IA’ will be established to oversee compliance with standards and coordinate the rollout of new solutions.
The program’s budget for the next three years will total €9.4 million, on par with leading global cities. According to El Pais, this represents about 3% of the city budget, while London and Seattle allocate 4% for technology.
Context and prospects
In recent years, major European cities have been actively adopting digital solutions to improve governance and enhance quality of life. Madrid and Paris already use systems for automatic application processing and electronic assistants for residents. In Berlin, AI is being tested to analyze traffic flows and optimize road management. These projects help speed up services, reduce bureaucracy, and make urban services more accessible for all population groups.
In Barcelona, the introduction of AI is sparking a wide-ranging debate about balancing innovation with the protection of residents’ interests. Authorities promise that new technologies will not replace people, but will help them work more efficiently and focus on tasks requiring human involvement. According to russpain.com, such initiatives could set an example for other Spanish cities if transparency and public trust can be maintained.
