AI to analyze social risks

Summary: 

The AI platform, utilizing Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies, allows for the analysis of vast amounts of data on human behavior and converts it into practical insights. This capability enables real-time assessments of the effects of specific issues, policies, or current events on society and public perceptions of these matters. The insights provided help organizations manage emerging risks and identify early warnings on critical issues, delivering results up to 90 days faster than traditional methods like media reports, polls, or surveys.

Clients: 

WHO, IDB, UNESCO, UNDP, World Bank, the Japanese Ministry of Infrastructure, City of Dublin

Problem Statement: 

We live in an era where sharing our thoughts, opinions, complaints, and celebrations through various digital channels has become a routine for much of the world’s population. This raises concerns about the reliability of information sources and the data itself. Decision-makers often fail to understand citizens’ needs and make uninformed decisions, leaving citizens feeling ignored and fostering a widespread lack of trust. With the rapid pace of events impacting people both locally and globally, governments cannot afford delays in identifying social risks and responding appropriately. Traditional methods like surveys or media reports are no longer sufficient to enhance citizens’ living conditions.

Results: 

• The AI platform enables the analysis of huge data on human behavior and transforms it into actionable insights up to 90 days sooner than traditional means, such as media, polls, or surveys. 
• Increased citizen feedback by 250 times.
• Facilitating citizen engagement.
• Enhanced data collection.
• The Sustainability and Social Risks Monitors feature historical and real-time data points in more than 100 countries and in more than 10 languages.

AI Solution Overview:

Citibeats is a B2B SaaS ethical AI platform designed to help private and public organizations understand people’s priorities on a large scale and in real-time, enabling decision-makers to act promptly and appropriately. Citibeats analyzes data to uncover social facts and trends valuable to companies and institutions.

The platform interprets user needs and opinions by adapting to the context in which they are expressed, considering language requirements, data sources, and text structures. Citibeats’ algorithm combines Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to filter relevant content, categorize user opinions and information, and extract insights and patterns automatically. This technology provides a more accurate detection of the real impact of any decision or action taken.

AI platforms can be applied to Citizen Security, Sustainable Cities, and other social issues. They collaborate with organizations such as the WHO, IDB, UNESCO, UNDP, and the World Bank on extensive projects in numerous countries, enabling these organizations to integrate citizens’ voices and needs into their decision-making processes. Utilizing AI for social understanding has significant social and economic impacts, serving as GovTech to enhance participatory democracy. Citibeats has partnered with municipalities worldwide to better understand citizens’ desires and engage them more directly in solutions.

By leveraging NLP and ML, Citibeats organizes unstructured data—such as citizens’ opinions expressed via social media—anonymously and in aggregate. AI models categorize and interpret this data, which is then presented through visual dashboards, allowing for insights that can improve city life.

For instance, in 2017, Citibeats identified mobility as a major issue in Barcelona, Spain, leading to the development of a mobile app that allows individuals to participate in solving this problem. The app informs users of traffic congestion on their routes, directs them to optimal public transportation options instead of taxis, and rewards them with points for alleviating gridlock. These points can be redeemed at local businesses, with more points awarded for using public transit during severe traffic.

Additionally, the government of Navarra, Spain, created a model that scans Instagram, Facebook, and other sources to identify hate speech, aiding in the development of educational and governmental initiatives to protect vulnerable communities.

In Ireland, Citibeats helped the Dublin City Council gather feedback from residents about their quality of life. This initiative supported the Smart Dublin program by providing data-driven insights into the community’s main concerns. By understanding these priorities, the council could allocate resources more effectively and avoid investing in the wrong areas. Citibeats produces a monthly report called the Dublin Beat, which examines trends and sentiments expressed by Dubliners on social media. This report covers topics such as environmental issues, cultural happenings, and urban developments.

In Japan, Citibeats partnered with NTT Data to pinpoint areas requiring upgrades in infrastructure and urban planning to mitigate flood risks. By analyzing 5,000 reports of structural damage, the government was able to prioritize necessary improvements. Given Japan’s vulnerability to natural disasters, Citibeats and NTT Data are working together to analyze citizens’ feedback on platforms like TripAdvisor. Using ML algorithms, they identify locations in different cities where critical infrastructure repairs are needed.

In 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the EARS platform, powered by Citibeats, to aid public health officials in combating misinformation and efficiently allocating resources. The platform utilizes AI to analyze various online sources, including social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as blogs, news articles, and online forums. By monitoring keywords and hashtags, EARS identifies emerging trends and discussions related to public health.

In Latin America, Citibeats collaborates with the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) to identify and understand real-time social civic needs using advanced algorithms. These algorithms, which integrate natural language processing and machine learning, analyze patterns to inform evidence-based policymaking for rapidly growing cities and developing economies. Examples of applications include assessing the social and economic impact of COVID-19 and unveiling gender-based disparities.

Furthermore, Citibeats partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to assist the Dominican Republic government in crafting a more effective COVID-19 communication strategy. 

Also, Citibeats aided Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Kenya in gathering 700,000 customer complaints. This data enabled local authorities to identify fraudulent activities and excessive charges in the financial services sector and enhance consumer protection initiatives.

References: 

1. 5 SaaS Startups in the GovTech Industry. https://www.whoraised.io/saas-startups/govtech-saas-startups
2. Citibeats: A.I. Analysis Platform. https://bakertillygda.com/en/citibeats-plataforma-de-analisis-de-i-a/
3. Using Ethical AI To Turn Citizens’ Information Into Insight. https://www.pymnts.com/news/artificial-intelligence/2020/citibeats-ethical-ai-turning-citizens-information-into-insight/
4. Citibeats: Finding The “So What” To Solve People’s Problems. https://www.tomorrow.city/citibeats-finding-the-so-what-to-solve-peoples-problems/
5. How Citibeats is leveraging AI to inform policy. https://www.itu.int/hub/2021/05/how-citibeats-is-leveraging-ai-to-inform-policy/
6. Creating the Cities of the Future. https://www.sap.com/insights/research/creating-the-cities-of-the-future.html
7. The Dublin Beat Understanding Citizen Sentiment. https://www.bable-smartcities.eu/explore/use-cases/use-case/the-dublin-beat-understanding-citizen-sentiment.html
8. WHO launches pilot of AI-powered public-access social listening tool. https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/who-launches-pilot-of-ai-powered-public-access-social-listening-tool

Industry: Public Services

Vendor: Citibeats

Clients: WHO, IDB, UNESCO, UNDP, and World Bank, the Japanese Ministry of Infrastructure, City of Dublin, Tokyo Marine

Publication Date: 2018