AI and the City: A Look at the Future of Urban Living

Imagine a world where you check into a hotel in your favorite city, but a robot bellhop takes your luggage to your room in place of a human one. Instead of a key card, you simply wave your smartphone near the door to unlock it (and do something similar to control the in-room safe). You’re hungry, so you select some room service—and a few minutes later, another robot delivers your meal to your door.

When you’re ready to explore the city, instead of hailing a cab, you jump on an automated transport pod that whisks you seamlessly through traffic and to your destination.

This might sound like something out of The Jetsons or your favorite sci-fi show, but automation like this is quickly becoming the reality of urban living in modern smart cities.

AI provides an ideal solution to many of the challenges of city life: bumper-to-bumper traffic, sustainable growth, and challenges accessing city services all stand to be improved in the coming years. Here’s a closer look at what the future of urban living in smart “AI cities” could look like.

AI and City Transportation: An Ideal Fit

There’s no ignoring the fact that transportation is one of the downsides of urban living. If something isn’t walkable, then it’s likely a big headache.

Most urban residents know the realities of traffic gridlocks and confusing public transit systems. AI can help with both of these challenges.

Several large cities are currently testing smart city automation in their transportation systems. Self-driving cars are slowly becoming a reality, which will take some of the stress out of driving in congested systems. Some other ways AI can transform public transit include:

• Smart traffic signals that adjust timing based on traffic patterns

• Delivery drones and robots taking vehicles off the street

• AI-assisted traffic monitoring to enforce local laws

• AI sensors to help drivers find public parking spots

Dubai is one of the cities leading the charge in AI transportation solutions. In 2018 the city tested self-driving autonomous pods. By the end of 2023, the Roads and Transport Authority predicts self-driving taxis being on the road throughout the city.

AI Improves City Management, Urban Planning

City management can also benefit from automation. In Singapore, the government recently launched the Smart Nation app, which allows residents to create a digital identity card, access government services, and even report problems around the city so the proper agency can take a look. This, combined with the city’s e-health offerings, has earned Singapore the status as the “smartest city in the world.”

Automation in urban planning is coming to market as well. With the right machine learning system, city planners can use AI to create land use and development models that focus on sustainability. In this approach the AI generates the plan, then humans tweak and finalize it. The process becomes more efficient without losing that crucial human touch.

Challenges of AI in the City

The push for smart city design isn’t without its challenges. These include:

• The need to install and maintain the smart city hardware

• Damage or theft of costly AI equipment

• Privacy concerns for residents (there’s a fine line between smart and surveillance)

• Potential for discrimination (bias in AI)

• Inequality between those who can afford the tech and those who can’t

This movement to automate cities holds plenty of promise, but it also needs careful consideration. Governments must have the right regulations in place to protect the security and privacy of citizens as they add automation in their cities.

With forward thinking and proper planning, AI has the potential to transform the future of urban living, making life easier and roads at least a little less congested.