#8 - AI’s influence on cities
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming one of the most transformative technologies of our time, and its influence on cities is set to be particularly profound. From self-driving cars to smart traffic systems, AI is already changing the way we move, work, and live in urban environments. But what does the past, present, and future of AI's influence on cities look like, and what are the optimistic and pessimistic outlooks for its future? In this essay, I'll explore these questions, looking at the opportunities and drawbacks of AI in cities, notable champions and critics, and drawing on sources from leading publications to paint a picture of what's to come.
The past of AI in cities can be traced back to the early days of the technology, when researchers first began experimenting with AI applications in urban environments. For example, in the 1960s, MIT researchers developed an early version of a traffic simulation system that used AI to model traffic flow in cities. In the 1970s and 1980s, researchers in Japan and Europe began experimenting with AI-powered traffic control systems that could optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion. While these early AI systems were relatively simple and limited in scope, they laid the foundation for the more advanced systems that we see today.
The present of AI in cities is characterized by a growing number of applications of the technology in urban environments. For example, self-driving cars are rapidly becoming a reality, with companies like Waymo and Tesla testing autonomous vehicles on public roads. Smart traffic systems are also becoming more common, with cities like Singapore and Helsinki using AI to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion. Other applications of AI in cities include smart building management systems, which use AI to optimize energy usage and reduce costs, and public safety systems, which use AI to identify potential threats and respond to emergency situations.
The future of AI in cities is highly uncertain and depends largely on how the technology develops and is adopted in the coming years. On the one hand, there are optimistic forecasts for the future of AI in cities. These forecasts suggest that AI will continue to improve, becoming more sophisticated and powerful over time. This will enable a wide range of new applications of the technology in cities, such as fully autonomous transportation systems, smart city infrastructure, and advanced public services. These new applications will lead to more efficient and sustainable cities, with improved quality of life for residents.
On the other hand, there are also pessimistic outlooks for the future of AI in cities. These outlooks suggest that AI will have a more negative impact on cities, leading to increased inequality, reduced privacy, and new forms of social and economic disruption. For example, some experts have raised concerns about the impact of autonomous vehicles on employment, arguing that widespread adoption of self-driving cars could lead to job losses for millions of drivers. Others have raised concerns about the impact of AI on privacy, arguing that the proliferation of sensors and cameras in cities could lead to increased surveillance and loss of privacy.
The opportunities and drawbacks of AI in cities are complex and multifaceted. The opportunities include:
Increased efficiency and sustainability in urban environments
Improved traffic flow and reduced congestion
Enhanced public safety and emergency response
Improved energy efficiency in buildings
Better public services
The drawbacks include:
Job loss and economic disruption
Increased inequality and social dislocation
Reduced privacy and increased surveillance
Dependence on technology
Lack of accountability
There are many notable champions and critics of AI in cities, from futurists and technologists to urban planners and policymakers. Some of the most notable champions of AI in cities include:
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who has been a vocal advocate for the development of autonomous vehicles and smart city infrastructure
Anthony Foxx, former US Secretary of Transportation, who has spoken about the potential of autonomous vehicles to reduce accidents and improve traffic flow.
Jan Gehl, a Danish architect and urban designer, who has championed the use of AI in cities to improve the built environment and enhance the quality of life for residents.
Critics of AI in cities, on the other hand, include:
Nick Srnicek, a researcher and author, who has raised concerns about the potential negative impacts of AI on cities, including job loss and increased inequality.
Shoshana Zuboff, a Harvard Business School professor and author, who has written extensively about the dangers of "surveillance capitalism" and the impact of AI on privacy.
Kate Crawford, a researcher and author, who has argued that the use of AI in cities raises important ethical questions, such as bias and accountability.
In conclusion, the past, present and future of AI's influence on cities is complex and multifaceted, with both optimistic and pessimistic outlooks. As AI continues to develop and be adopted in urban environments, it is important that we consider both the opportunities and drawbacks of the technology, and engage in ongoing dialogue about its ethical implications. It's also important to consider the impact of AI on the workforce, privacy and the way we live. Cities should also invest in AI literacy for its citizens to be able to understand and responsibly use AI.
Sources:
"The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Smart Cities" by Nils Christiansen and Jan H. Höffler (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214579618301072)
"The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Cities" by Anthony Foxx (https://www.brookings.edu/blog/techtank/2017/10/05/the-impact-of-artificial-intelligence-on-cities/)
"The Dark Side of Smart Cities" by Nick Srnicek (https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/19/the-dark-side-of-smart-cities-urban-life-artificial-intelligence)
"The Age of Surveillance Capitalism" by Shoshana Zuboff (https://www.publicaffairsbooks.com/titles/shoshana-zuboff/the-age-of-surveillance-capitalism/9781610395694/)
"The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Cities" by Kate Crawford (https://www.citylab.com/equity/2019/11/artificial-intelligence-smart-cities-ethics-privacy-bias/600722/)