The boom on generative AI has generated a lot of discussion and debates. Will it be of great help to participatory urban design processes? Or a danger to be aware of?
I’ve written an article on Metvibee to detail my perspectives on the subject, and voice out what’s at stake.
A summary
While I don’t want to spoil the article too much for you, I’d say that the development in generative AI, as it is now, has a lot of ethical challenges especially in terms of bias and stereotypes.
Generative AI tools have legitimate and promising uses in urban design, but we must be careful not to lose control to machines and algorithms.
Collaboration between XR and AI
Metvibee, which I’m working on, is in essence an extended reality (XR) tool. I believe XR provides the best balance between user control and imaginative visions.
Generative AI is a good tool in augmenting to that in participatory urban design. But AI cannot take center stage in the process, lest we lose control to biased algorithms that make outcomes worse in an uncanny manner.
I’m open to exploring collaborations with other people working on XR and generative AI in participatory urban design. If that’s you, please connect with me on LinkedIn so we can discuss more! (And don’t forget to subscribe to my blog!)