BUILDING SUSTAINABLE CITIES IN THE ERA OF DIGITALISATION – A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Due to the pressing environmental challenges, there is a growing focus on green initiatives, including sustainable human settlements, environmental rights and green democratic values. It is a global understanding that technological progress helps to achieve environmental objectives and strengthen environmental rights. Given that a large proportion of humanity lives in urbanised environments, AI could be a great tool to shape green communities. On the other hand, AI can be affected by bias and other prejudices. Furthermore, AI is responsible for problems including carbon emissions, electronic waste, and potential damage to ecosystems. As more companies and institutions begin to use artificial intelligence, it is becoming evident that technology will deepen the climate crisis and the emission of GHG. This paper emphasises the connection between green cities, AI, green democracies, environmental rights and climate resilience. AI can increase public participation in decision-making and help safeguard human rights. However, the intrusive and discriminatory uses of AI can harm people’s health, fundamental rights, and the environment. Therefore, it is important to assess and mitigate possible risks of digitalisation to protect the green transition and environmental rights, as well as to establish effective AI regulation.