Digital Inclusion and Generative Artificial Intelligence: Is Gipuzkoa socially cohesive and digitally sustainable?
Action-research to address the strategic challenges of the data gap and digital rights with vulnerable communities.
Description
The historical territory of Gipuzkoa is shaped by its unique socioeconomic and cultural characteristics. Over decades, it has developed into a socially cohesive society. The province’s population and institutions particularly value community-driven initiatives, cultural diversity, and social transformation through collaboration.
In this local context, 21st-century Gipuzkoa should aspire to become a digitalized society where social cohesion remains a fundamental pillar, in line with international trends. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the significant social impact of the current surge in Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) on Gipuzkoa’s citizens and communities. In daily life, algorithmic decision-making directly affects people’s activities in healthcare, banking, shopping, social interactions, and employment, among others. Beyond concerns about privacy, issues such as biometrics, data extraction, and the growing presence of disinformation on social media platforms highlight how digital technology is increasingly distancing itself from citizens’ understanding. Moreover, as international research has demonstrated (Eubanks, 2017), the effects of Generative AI and data exploitation are particularly pronounced for vulnerable communities.
Among the disruptive challenges that can be identified are: the impact of the data gap, the need to guarantee digital rights, and the necessity of developing specific strategies and public policies to foster digital inclusion.
By recognizing digital rights as fundamental human rights, the Directorate for Human Rights and Democratic Culture of the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa organizes this Summer Course with the active participation of communities and citizens. The initiative is organised and funded by the Province Council of Gipuzkoa and led by Prof Igor Calzada, in direct collaboration with local and international partners. The strategic challenge of fostering a socially cohesive and digitally sustainable society falls within the responsibilities of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council, which promotes social innovation practices.
The main objective of this Summer Course is to answer the following action-research question: If Gipuzkoa is a socially cohesive territory, is it also digitally sustainable?
Objectives
Social cohesion: To analyze and promote the inclusion of vulnerable communities and ensure equal participation opportunities. The objective is to examine the impact of Generative AI and other emerging technologies on vulnerable communities through action-research, fostering effective practical exercises with migrant communities and Gipuzkoa’s citizens in general.
Digital rights, inclusion and sustainability: To ensure the protection of digital rights for all communities in Gipuzkoa, with a special focus on vulnerable social groups, such as migrants. By promoting responsible and ethical use of technology, AI and data, the goal is to create a safe and just digital environment for both vulnerable communities (migrants) and Gipuzkoa’s citizens.
AI and social innovation (AI for Social Innovation; AI4SI): This Summer Course is not only designed to prepare pedagogical content on data and algorithms, but it also aims to propel Gipuzkoa’s society toward a shared strategic goal, ensuring that no one is left behind. Beyond social cohesion, the objective is to establish a community-driven digital model that is socially cohesive and digitally sustainable, embracing plurality and diversity while considering the risks and opportunities of digital society.
Generative AI (GenAI) and urban and territorial AI: Given the rapid penetration of AI in Gipuzkoa, the Summer Course also seeks to analyze the implications of Generative, Urban, and Territorial AI (https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/calls-for-papers/generative-ai-and-urban-ai-policy-challenges-ahead-trustworthy-ai-whom). Since AI's effects in Gipuzkoa can be diverse, the aim is to conduct action-research in collaboration with institutional representatives from Barcelona, Rotterdam, Bordeaux and Wales to directly understand initiatives in leading cities and regions facing the algorithmic tsunami.
Activity directed to
- All public
- University student
- Teachers
- Professionals
Methodology
The Summer Course follows an iterative action-research methodology, structured into three key blocks:
First block: International radar and co-production. In this first phase, after introducing the Digital Inclusion & Gen AI framework, international trends and experiences will be analyzed, identifying elements applicable to the digital context of Gipuzkoa. Several case studies will be examined in collaboration with the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights, particularly with cities such as Barcelona, Rotterdam and Bordeaux. Additionally, insights from the CWMPAS cooperative in Wales will be explored, focusing on digital inclusion for migrants and the design of public policies.
Second block: Workshop with migrants and discussion panel. In this second phase, the focus will shift to Gipuzkoa, promoting the direct participation of vulnerable communities, particularly migrant groups. Practical workshops with migrant communities and discussion panels with diverse experts (journalists, activists, lawyers, and business representatives) will be organized to identify challenges and opportunities in digital inclusion. Active participation will be at the core of the methodology, providing students and community members with opportunities to share their experiences.
Third block: "Lightning talks" with stakeholders. The final phase will facilitate direct conversations with institutions in Gipuzkoa and the Basque Country through a "lightning talks" format. Public policy officials, academic experts, and community representatives will convene to discuss digital inclusion strategies. The primary objective of this block is to share the findings from previous phases and define a roadmap for the future.
The Summer Course adopts an iterative and participatory action research methodology, aiming to develop inclusive digital strategies for the Gipuzkoa’s community and promote policies aligned with social realities.
Contributors
Program
15-07-2025
Registration
“Digital Inclusion & Gen Al: Strategic Roadmapping & Policy Challenges“
- Igor Calzada Múgica | Ikerbasque/EHU+Cardiff University/WISERD (Spain/UK) - Director del curso
“Digital Inclusion: Global Perspective“
- Seeta Peña Gangadharan | LSE (UK)
Coffee-break
“Barcelona: Founder of the Cities Coalition for Digital Rights (CCDR) (2018-2025): Current Initiatives on Urban Al“
- Joan Batlle Montserrat | Barcelona City Council, International Projects Office, Cities Coalition for Digital Rights (CCDR), UN + CIDOB-Urban Al (Spain)
“Rotterdam: Leading Role at the Coalition for Digital Rights (CCDR) with Digital Inclusion Cutting-Edge Projects“
- Miranda Saunders | Rotterdam City Council, Digital Inclusion Office, Cities Coalition for Digital Rights (CCDR), UN (Netherlands)
“Lightning Talk: There-Is-No-Alternative (TINA)? Digital Inclusion & GenAl“
- Simona Levi | XNet
- Jorge Campanillas | lurismática Abogados (Spain)
- Alex Rayón | Braind & Code (Spain)
- Gemma Galdon Clavell | Eticas Consulting (USA)
Roundtable
16-07-2025
“Algorithmic Government: Digital Inclusion Data Policy Challenges“
- Zeynep Engin | University College London (UL) + Cambridge University Press (CUP) (UK)
“Digital Inclusion in Wales: Migrant Communities and Municipalities“
- Daniel Roberts | CWMPAS Wales Cooperative Centre (UK)
Coffee-break
“Digital Inclusion in Gipuzkoa: Mapping Out a Portfolio of Projects“
- Itziar Eizagirre Irureta | Gipuzkoa Province Council (Spain)
“Concluding Remarks and Introduction to the Action Research Workshop“
- Igor Calzada Múgica | Ikerbasque/EHU+Cardiff University/WISERD (Spain/UK) - Director del curso
- Itziar Eizagirre Irureta | Province Council (Spain)
Action Research WORKSHOP: Anitasun-Sarea (Migrant Communities) & Elkar Bizi (Network of Municipalities)
“Conclusions of the Summer School and Next Steps“
- Igor Calzada Múgica | CWMPAS Wales Cooperative Centre (UK) - Director del curso
Directors
Dr. Igor Calzada, MBA, FeRSA, Principal Investigator (Full/Research Professor, Unibasq+R3) in digital, urban, and policy transformations from the contemporary perspective of Social Innovation and Web3 (blockchain and data cooperatives). Fulbright Scholar in California and Learned Society of Wales grantee. 2012-21: Senior Researcher, University of Oxford (funded by EC, ESRC, Fulbright, RSA, and Ikerbasque) as well as Cardiff, Strathclyde, Aston, Vrije, Nevada, California, and JRC, EC (Italy). Expert, European Research Executive Agency on AI and Democracy and People-Centered Smart Cities, United Nations. Scientific Director at AeA and BasqueGov. Research lines: Digital Citizenship, Smart Cities, Digital Rights/Sovereignty, and Decentralized Web3 Technologies. Books: Datafied Democracies (Springer, 2024), Benchmarking City-Regions (Routledge, 2024), Emerging Digital Citizenship Regimes (Emerald, 2022), and Smart City Citizenship (Elsevier, 2021). Postdoctoral (Ikerbasque, 2012) and predoctoral (Caja Madrid, 2008). Track record of 170 international presentations. Director of 10 editions of Summer Courses. 2002-11: MCC Cooperative Group and Director BasqueGov. DRC Fellow (Canada). www.igorcalzada.com/publications
Itziar Eizagirre Irureta
GIPUZKOAKO FORU ALDUNDIA
Dr. Itziar Eizaguirre, Ph.D., Province Council of Gipuzkoa, Spain. She holds a PhD in Governance for Sustainable Development (2024) from the University of the Basque Country. With expertise in environmental law, ecopolitics, and territorial sustainability, she has served for 20 years as a consultant and manager for public administrations on governance, strategic planning, and climate policy. Currently, she works at the Human Rights and Democratic Culture Directorate of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council. She co-directs the UIK 2025 Summer School Digital Inclusion & GenAI (15–16 July 2025, San Sebastián, Spain).
Speakers
Joan Batlle Montserrat
Dr. Igor Calzada, MBA, FeRSA, Principal Investigator (Full/Research Professor, Unibasq+R3) in digital, urban, and policy transformations from the contemporary perspective of Social Innovation and Web3 (blockchain and data cooperatives). Fulbright Scholar in California and Learned Society of Wales grantee. 2012-21: Senior Researcher, University of Oxford (funded by EC, ESRC, Fulbright, RSA, and Ikerbasque) as well as Cardiff, Strathclyde, Aston, Vrije, Nevada, California, and JRC, EC (Italy). Expert, European Research Executive Agency on AI and Democracy and People-Centered Smart Cities, United Nations. Scientific Director at AeA and BasqueGov. Research lines: Digital Citizenship, Smart Cities, Digital Rights/Sovereignty, and Decentralized Web3 Technologies. Books: Datafied Democracies (Springer, 2024), Benchmarking City-Regions (Routledge, 2024), Emerging Digital Citizenship Regimes (Emerald, 2022), and Smart City Citizenship (Elsevier, 2021). Postdoctoral (Ikerbasque, 2012) and predoctoral (Caja Madrid, 2008). Track record of 170 international presentations. Director of 10 editions of Summer Courses. 2002-11: MCC Cooperative Group and Director BasqueGov. DRC Fellow (Canada). www.igorcalzada.com/publications
Jorge Campanillas
Itziar Eizagirre Irureta
GIPUZKOAKO FORU ALDUNDIA
Dr. Itziar Eizaguirre, Ph.D., Province Council of Gipuzkoa, Spain. She holds a PhD in Governance for Sustainable Development (2024) from the University of the Basque Country. With expertise in environmental law, ecopolitics, and territorial sustainability, she has served for 20 years as a consultant and manager for public administrations on governance, strategic planning, and climate policy. Currently, she works at the Human Rights and Democratic Culture Directorate of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council. She co-directs the UIK 2025 Summer School Digital Inclusion & GenAI (15–16 July 2025, San Sebastián, Spain).
Zeynep Engin
Gemma Galdon Clavell
Gemma Galdon-Clavell doktorea Eticas Consulting-eko sortzaile eta zuzendari nagusia da, eta kudeaketaren, zuzendaritza estrategikoaren eta ikuspegia gauzatzearen arduraduna da. Teknologiaren eta datuen erabileraren eragin sozial, etiko eta legalean duen diziplina anitzeko prestakuntzari esker, taldearekin batera, irtenbide praktikoak diseinatu eta ezar ditzake datuak babesteko, etika, argigarritasuna eta adimen artifizialeko alborapenaren erronkak zehazteko. Haren ekarpenek bat egiten dute zehaztasun akademikoarekin, esperientzia politikoarekin eta prozesu teknologikoetan pertsonak babesteko konpromisoarekin, eskubideak eta balioak zehaztapen tekniko bihurtzen dituzten soluzio eta zerbitzu aitzindarien bidez.
Simona Levi
Seeta Peña Gangadharan
Alex Rayón
Daniel Roberts
Miranda Saunders
Registration fees
| Face-to-face | Until 15-07-2025 |
|---|---|
| 0 EUR |
| Live online | Until 15-07-2025 |
|---|---|
| 0 EUR |
Venue
Miramar Palace
Pº de Miraconcha nº 48. Donostia / San Sebastián
Gipuzkoa
Miramar Palace
Pº de Miraconcha nº 48. Donostia / San Sebastián
Gipuzkoa
Sustainable development goals
Agenda 2030 is the new international development agenda approved in September 2015 by the United Nations. This agenda aims to be an instrument to favour sustainable human development all over the planet, and its main pillars are the eradication of poverty, a reduction in equality and vulnerability and fostering sustainability. It is a unique opportunity to transform the world up to 2030 and guarantee human rights for all.
10 - Reduced inequalities
Reduce inequality in countries and between them. Key issues: promotion of the social, economic and political inclusion of all people, equal opportunities, fiscal, wage and social protection policies to favour equality, migration and the policies that affect it, official assistance for the development, regulation and supervision of world institutions and markets.
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