By Steven Cornwell, Global Director, ERA-co
Amid pursuing more resilient, robust, and sustainable cities, one question is often asked: “Is the age of the architect coming to a close?” Many have been asking this question in urban development circles as the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) begins to affect the building of today’s cities.
Since the advent of the internet, the architecture industry has harbored concerns about what technological advancements would mean for the largest “city-defining” profession. It was clear that as technology became more intuitive, it would have a definitive impact, but no one could possibly anticipate the tidal wave of change that has come with AI.
Many in the industry consider architecture as “late to the table” regarding data, machine learning, and automation. So, as we race down the path of accelerated AI, architecture may sink or swim depending on how well it can adapt and engage, affecting the makeup of the new urban center along the way.
The Rich History and Evolution of Architecture
Architecture is a discipline and art form with a long, storied history. From the ancient pyramids in Egypt to the futuristic smart cities of today, technology and innovation have always informed architectural trends and direction.
The advent of advanced technology like AI has pushed modern architects to evolve further. Digital tools and computer-aided design (CAD) programs have long become commonplace, but in their infancy, they revolutionized how architects conceptualized their designs. When the crossover to digital-aided design began, many likely wanted to hold fast to the old ways of doing things because they were tried, true, and – above all else – safe.
As AI significantly impacts how architects do their jobs and create, the industry finds itself at yet another crossroads, where “adapt or die” may become the battle cry. AI has dominated our newsfeeds and even government agendas, perhaps causing a knee-jerk reaction by those who feel a shift to accelerated AI is unnecessary in urban development. After all, humans have successfully built cities for millennia, so why lean on machine learning to do that at which humans have excelled?
The answers to the questions that urban developers and architects ask themselves will determine whether the industry ultimately sinks or swims.
The Benefits of AI for City Planning
AI has introduced a world of possibilities for the cities of the future. From optimizing designs for structural integrity to analyzing the vast amount of data that can come from city development, AI has proven its worth, saving time, money, and opportunity for mistakes.
Some transformative ways AI influences the architecture space include generative design capabilities, building information modeling (BIM), predictive analytics, data-driven urban planning, and personalization capabilities. AI has become so intuitive that it can even be used as a design partner, providing inspiration and suggestions that spark the creative process.
Architects and urban planners consider many factors when designing new urban spaces. The latest intuitive AI can help with cost-effectiveness, sustainability, energy efficiency, and sound project management.
Architects who have relied upon standard approaches may fear replacement and are not alone. The rise of AI has spurred anxiety in many industries, with visions of a takeover by the machines keeping them up at night. It wouldn’t be the first time there has been a panic over the possible implications of advancing technology, but leaning on AI as another tool in the city planning tool belt can have some benefits.
As architects embrace AI as a design tool, they may find that it doesn’t replace the creative process as much as it augments it. Designers can use generative AI to open their eyes to design possibilities they may have never imagined. With generative AI’s assistance, architects can return to the important tasks of refining designs and giving them the much-needed human touch.
AI is also useful for continued education and skill development. As city dwellers’ needs change and the demand for smarter, more efficient, more sustainable cities grows, AI can help architects develop their skills to meet these demands. Through data-driven insights from AI, architects can learn how to create more sustainable and efficient urban environments, meeting the needs of modern society.
The collaboration of human skill and creativity and AI’s capabilities to quickly learn and adapt could be a net positive for urban development. Society will benefit as architects embrace enhanced AI as a tool for expanded creativity, innovation, and design.
Technology is moving at warp speed. AI is about to shape our lives beyond what we have imagined, helping us create smarter, more sustainable cities. Architects need to consider AI to be the new voice at the drafting table, allowing new eyes on the day’s issues, including climate change, infrastructure issues, and transportation.
As we move forward, there needn’t be a “Team AI” or a “Team Architect” in the back and forth regarding the place of advanced technology in urban development. Instead, we can find ways to merge the power of AI with the insight of the creative human mind to design future cities.
Steven Cornwell is the Global Director of ERA-co, currently living in NYC. Over the course of 20 years, Steven has garnered an international reputation for developing leading brands from a broad range of sectors, including real estate, place, culture, consumer retail, media, transit & infrastructure, and professional services. ERA-co is a global place brand specializing in data science, research and insight, user strategy, urban systems, and brand experience.