ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: Computer-controlled city centres
IT was predicted that in the year 2010 planes would consist of a single pilot and a dog. The job of the pilot would be to feed the dog; the reason for the dog is to bite the pilot if he or she touches anything.
Many people have developed a genuine fear that artificial intelligence could one day take over the world if it got too advanced and somehow became self-aware. Hollywood is largely to blame for this unnecessary fear. The Matrix trilogy is a prime culprit.
In truth, certain sections of society have become more controlled by AI without many of us even being aware of it. Before, pilots used to quite literally guess what altitudes they were flying at, what the weather may be like higher up and use all their skills and praying power to land a plan safely. Today, we use machines to ascertain such information. No questions asked.
One could cite several examples of how our society is gradually moving closer to an AI culture — where room for human error is becoming less of a worry. But why are we not making use of AI forms of governance? We all know that power breeds corruption. History has tried to teach us this for centuries. There is no need to point any grubby fingers.
An artificially intelligent city
Computer-controlled city centres are the beginnings of an automated governance system
Image: CG4TV.com
Imagine, if you will, a round city that is built around a central computerised hub. In this hub would exist all forms of governance that keep the city running safely and smoothly. Citizens would be able to approach this AI hub and input questions to receive information, such as “how abundant is the city’s water supply”? If there is a water shortage the city brain could offer calculated suggestions on how best to distribute what’s left.
A centralised city hub could constantly monitor the air, the earth and the water supply and gather all demographic information relating to a city, which could then be called up on request. Having a machine monitor the air and automatically eliminate contaminants is not new technology. We don’t all have to live in domes to experience the benefits of such. So why aren’t we making use of it?
The illusion is that AI could get dangerously out of control and start using our air and water for its own evil purposes (that is, of course, once a machine learns morality and the difference between good and evil).
A different argument is that a computer of that size and capacity would be very expensive to build. This is also not true. A lot of money is spent every year on sociological research — most of which could be saved by having a computer do the work for us. Quantitative research especially would also be far more accurate.
AI for mayor?
This proposed form of governance is not as radical as you may think. It does not supersede all forms of human decision making. Rather, it suggests that we should no longer fear machines, but instead apply them intelligently enough to improve the standard of human living and create sustainable city life.
Sustainable round city
In such a city there would still be a need for a mayoral figure of some kind — a democratically elected person to take every citizen’s inputs into account and make the final digital commands. The rest is just paperwork really.
Of course, it would also be wise to start small when it comes to societal reconstruction. As creatures of habit, we are all set in our ways and many people fear change.
However, I don’t see what’s stopping the powers that be from at least experimenting with such an idea. Perhaps their job security is at stake.
So if any of you are planning on building a city any time soon, please consider the above and understand how much better our cities of the future could be. And if that isn’t enough to make the public feel safe and secure, we could always have two guard dogs instead of one.
- If you are intrigued by this article, I would highly recommend giving the documentary film Future by Design a discerning watch. Alternatively, I have written five related articles based on the film, which you can find under
A Resource Based Economy.
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As always, very interesting article Galen. I long for the day when using advanced AI is the standard.
Thanks Nick. It does make a lot of practical sense to use AI technologies to create sustainable city-life. I just hope it becomes a reality in our life-times!
Good stuff Galen. Could be good to have AI running the show as decisions could be made without fear of emotional ties. That being said, it could be difficult when deciding whether someone deserves a second chance, rather than throwing the book at everyone.
Thanks Keith. True that, although AI would of course only handle non-subjective human criteria. Giving peeps a second chance (for supposedly behaving badly) would still be left to a judge and jury of their peers … or they could just be banished