At a conference recently, I was approached by a sales rep who told me he could produce a comprehensive plan for my community in minutes using AI – artificial intelligence. Our firm provides comprehensive planning services so should I be worried? Will AI put planners and other thinkers and visionaries out of business? Or will AI be another powerful tool to help involve more people in planning their community’s future? My guess is the later.
Here are a few ways planners are already integrating AI into their work.
Data analysis and modeling: It makes sense that AI will help make our data more accessible and reliable. AI can process vast amounts of data collected from various sources, such as satellite imagery, sensors, social media, and public records. This data can be used to build sophisticated models that provide insights into population density, traffic patterns, air quality, energy consumption, and more. These models help planners make informed decisions and create data-driven urban plans.
Predictive analytics: What does the future hold? Ask AI. It can use historical data to make predictions about future trends and challenges in urban areas. This information can help planners anticipate issues like traffic congestion, housing demands, and environmental changes, enabling them to proactively address these challenges.
Traffic management: AI-powered traffic management systems can optimize traffic signals, manage congestion, and suggest alternative routes based on real-time data, leading to reduced travel times, decreased emissions, and improved overall transportation efficiency.
Smart infrastructure: Smart infrastructure refers to the integration of digital technologies into traditional infrastructure, such as transportation networks, energy grids, water supply systems, waste management, and buildings, to create interconnected, data-driven, and intelligent environments. AI can help lead to more sustainable and efficient urban environments by creating and managing smart infrastructure, with systems that can automatically adjust to changing conditions and optimize resource utilization.
Urban design and simulations: Good planning is about vision, and AI can help visions come to life by generating and evaluating urban design alternatives and simulations. By considering factors such as land use, building heights, green spaces, and transportation networks, AI can help planners visualize the potential impacts of different urban development scenarios.
Environmental impact assessment: AI can be used to help planners identify environmentally friendly designs to mitigate negative effects on natural resources by analyzing the environmental impact of urban development projects and simulating outcomes.
While there are many benefits such as enhanced efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and improved urban services, there are also many risks and ethical issues associated its use. To mitigate those risks, identify specific goals for AI’s use, adhere strictly to privacy and security standards, involve key stakeholders, and start with small projects. The City of Boston has a written policy to help guide staff on the use of AI.
While writing an entire comprehensive plan can done by a computer, the passion and commitment to make big plans and implement them must be built by humans for humans.
To learn more, ChatGPT generated the following list of resources for your use: (ironic – right?)
- Open Letter to the Planning Community Regarding the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in Planning
- Boston Generative AI Guidelines
- Unleashing the Potential of ChatGPT in Planning Practice (planning-org-uploaded-media.s3.amazonaws.com)
We are available to talk with staff and elected officials about how to better prepare for the future with AI. Contact us to discuss how!