Shaping Tomorrow Responsible Innovation for a Brighter Future 2025

Context –The World Bank estimates that the global GDP loss due to disability is between $1.7 trillion and $2.2 trillion annually.40 –A collaborative model driven by continuous community feedback enabled AI- powered solutions to tackle accessibility challenges effectively. –As cities worldwide work towards greater inclusivity, the Amsterdam for All project provides a scalable model for addressing real societal needs.Urban systems exist to serve the entire population, including 16% of the global population, or 1.3 billion people with disabilities. However, cities still fall short in terms of accessibility.41 Urban environments often fail to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities and older adults, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, transport and public services. While digital accessibility maps have proliferated, they may reinforce trends in inaccessible smart-city technologies. Sixty percent of experts report that people with disabilities are left behind by these new urban technologies.42 A collaborative, AI-driven model to make urban environments more accessible Local governments have begun using AI to enhance physical and digital infrastructure to better serve the growing needs of both residents and visitors. Technological advancements in the public sector are providing new opportunities for more inclusive urban planning. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, from local governments including city IT teams and urban planners with advocacy groups and community service organizations, innovators can better assess the feasibility of AI-based solutions and how they can be integrated into urban environments. The City of Amsterdam brings together diverse stakeholders, using AI tools The City of Amsterdam, in partnership with the Victor Pineda Foundation and World Enabled, has developed the Amsterdam for All initiative, a groundbreaking project that uses AI to facilitate inclusivity and accessibility in urban environments. The Amsterdam for All initiative focuses on using AI to identify and mitigate barriers in both the physical and digital realms. By employing cutting-edge technologies, the City of Amsterdam is tackling challenges like sidewalk accessibility, real-time navigation for people with disabilities, and more inclusive public transport systems. At the heart of Amsterdam for All’s success is the city’s inclusive, collaborative approach. The partnership with World Enabled brought together multiple stakeholders – city officials, accessibility experts, AI researchers and community organizations. The initiative involved continuous feedback from people with disabilities and community groups, ensuring that solutions were grounded in lived experiences. This collaborative model resulted in AI-powered solutions that were highly tailored and effective for Amsterdam’s unique urban challenges. Key success factors include: –Stakeholder engagement: Continuous involvement of community groups and disability advocates to identify accessibility barriers and co-create solutions –Human-centred design: Ensuring that AI tools were user-friendly and responsive to the needs of all users, especially marginalized communities Urban environments often fail to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities and older adults, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, transport and public services. Shaping Tomorrow: Responsible Innovation for a Brighter Future 24