The pervasiveness of IoT technologies is causing disruptive changes in urban spaces and in the relationships between the subjects who inhabit them and between them and the material contexts, determining a profile of the city conceived more and more as an assemblage of bodies, infrastructures, machines, elements natural. In this framework, AI is becoming one of the most widespread tools of interface and mediation between the various components._x000D_ In the face of these changes, it seems useful to reflect on which visions of the city are emerging, between anthropocentrism and post-anthropocentrism, and on which city models are desirable, also in order to direct investments in AI and to contribute to the definition of smart city agendas. To respond to this objective, the paper first explores the main theories developed in the most recent studies, such as those on urban assemblage and platform urbanism, which offer useful interpretations for interpreting the recent transformations and for conceiving cities as increasingly hybrid and complex entities. Secondly, it aims to reflect, both from a theoretical and methodological point of view, on urban narratives and socio-technological imaginaries that emerge around the relationship between AI and the city; in particular, the interest is on how these representations are fueled by citizens’ opinions and at the same time they influence their perceptions on the impact of AI in urban spaces and visions of the city of the future, which oscillate between techno-enthusiasm and techno-phobia._x000D_ These types of analysis appear important for the implications in terms of urban policies that consider both investments in AI and digital infrastructures and the benefits in terms of improving the functioning mechanisms of urban assemblages, but also the opinions and experiences of citizens and their involvement in the construction of the city of the future and their contribution to a broader conceptualization of the smart city paradigm.
Artificial intelligence and new visions of the City: Assemblages, Imaginaries, Policies
Lazzeroni, Michela
2023-01-01
Abstract
The pervasiveness of IoT technologies is causing disruptive changes in urban spaces and in the relationships between the subjects who inhabit them and between them and the material contexts, determining a profile of the city conceived more and more as an assemblage of bodies, infrastructures, machines, elements natural. In this framework, AI is becoming one of the most widespread tools of interface and mediation between the various components._x000D_ In the face of these changes, it seems useful to reflect on which visions of the city are emerging, between anthropocentrism and post-anthropocentrism, and on which city models are desirable, also in order to direct investments in AI and to contribute to the definition of smart city agendas. To respond to this objective, the paper first explores the main theories developed in the most recent studies, such as those on urban assemblage and platform urbanism, which offer useful interpretations for interpreting the recent transformations and for conceiving cities as increasingly hybrid and complex entities. Secondly, it aims to reflect, both from a theoretical and methodological point of view, on urban narratives and socio-technological imaginaries that emerge around the relationship between AI and the city; in particular, the interest is on how these representations are fueled by citizens’ opinions and at the same time they influence their perceptions on the impact of AI in urban spaces and visions of the city of the future, which oscillate between techno-enthusiasm and techno-phobia._x000D_ These types of analysis appear important for the implications in terms of urban policies that consider both investments in AI and digital infrastructures and the benefits in terms of improving the functioning mechanisms of urban assemblages, but also the opinions and experiences of citizens and their involvement in the construction of the city of the future and their contribution to a broader conceptualization of the smart city paradigm.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
