Urban development policies rely on extensive data sources from the urban fabric, yet methods and frameworks to obtain detailed, fine-grained insights from these data are often limited. Geospatial AI offers powerful opportunities to bridge this gap, enabling better data gathering and analysis methods of existing urban conditions as well as forecasting future growth. This panel will explore cutting-edge applications of geospatial AI, examine current urban planning needs, and discuss how these geospatial AI innovations will inform better urban policies on issues like sustainability, mobility and equity.

The built environment is heavily shaped by urban production processes—design, planning, and real estate development. Emerging AI software and workflows bring powerful new capabilities to these practices, influencing urban forms, optimizing city layouts, and enhancing sustainability, livability, and economic value. This panel will explore how AI-driven methods are transforming urban production practices and redefining how we conceptualize, plan, and evolve our cities.

This culminating panel brings the conference to a thoughtful conclusion by inviting panelists to define Urban AI through their unique professional lenses. Panelists will share firsthand insights on the opportunities, risks, and challenges they navigate in this emerging field. Our discussion will explore the technical innovations, cultural shifts, and political considerations that Urban AI introduces, while examining new collaborative frameworks that can unite diverse practitioners across disciplines to shape more intelligent, equitable and responsive cities.