AI Urbanism – How AI is Transforming Our Urban Lives (Part-2 of 2)

We are in the early stages of a radically disruptive technological era – called the 4th Industrial Revolution – triggered by the increasingly wider adoption of Artificial intelligence (AI). From being confined to research institutions and corporate R&D over last few decades, AI has invisibly and visibly ‘surfaced in the public realm’, gradually expanding its impact on several facets of our urban and home lives.

The initial, part-1 of this article delved into AI's impact in strategic urban realms of energy conservation, urban management, and socio-economics. AI's impact in these urban and regulatory realms may be gradual due to the inherent nature of a slower evolution of such urban-scale adoptions.

However, adopting AI technologies that influence and improve our day-to-day lives is already transforming our daily experiences in remarkable ways.

This article, the second of the two-part series, shifts focus from AI’s impact at the urban scale to its impact in personal realms of health and wellbeing, home living, and mobility. From personalized healthcare to smart homes and revolutionary personal mobility systems, AI is becoming an integral part of our daily lives, promising exciting possibilities, increased productivity, as well as new challenges.

Key Takeaways

1. AI in Health & Well-Being

• AI-Based Medical Chatbots & Consultation – AI-powered medical chatbots and platforms offer 24/7 personalized healthcare, using machine learning and big data to provide advice, predict outcomes, and assist in diagnosis.
• AI-Based Cancer Monitoring – AI revolutionizes cancer diagnosis with FDA-approved tools like Paige Prostate, enhancing accuracy and efficiency in identifying potential cancerous areas from biopsy images.

2. AI at Home

• Smart Appliances – AI transforms homes with smart devices, from virtual assistants to self-learning appliances – the booming market integrates IoT, 5G, and edge computing for intuitive living.
• Robotic Toys – AI-powered robotic toys revolutionize learning, promoting STEM skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence. The market is growing rapidly, with specialized toys supporting children's diverse needs.

3. AI in Mobility

• Autonomous Vehicles – Autonomous vehicles are becoming a reality, with market projections soaring. AI breakthroughs drive progress, promising to reshape transportation, urban planning, and society.
• AI in Micro-mobility – AI-powered micro-mobility solutions enhance urban short-distance travel, addressing congestion and sustainability. Smart vehicles optimize routes and contribute to city planning with data.

AI in Health & Well-Being

AI-Based Medical Chatbots & Consultation

The healthcare industry is being revolutionized by AI-powered medical chat-bots and consultation platforms offering personalized, accessible, and efficient healthcare. These AI applications harness the power of machine learning, natural language processing, and vast datasets to provide tailored medical advice, predict health outcomes, and even assist in diagnosis. It’s like having a highly knowledgeable medical assistant at your fingertips 24/7, capable of analysing your unique medical history, lifestyle factors, and symptoms to offer personalized healthcare advice.

AI-driven platforms are also mining and analysing extensive clinical, genetic, social, and behavioural data across diverse populations to recognize patterns and deliver focused medical guidance. The potential of AI in healthcare extends far beyond simple consultations. These intelligent systems are proving instrumental in:

• Predictive analytics – Identifying and forecasting patients’ risk for specific diseases based on individual backgrounds.
• Treatment optimization – Suggesting personalized treatment plans based on a patient's unique health profile and the latest medical research.
• Early disease detection – Identifying subtle patterns that may indicate the onset of diseases before traditional symptoms appear.

The market for AI in healthcare is booming, with projections suggesting it will reach $180 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 38% from 2024 to 2030 (source: Grand View Research). Some standout examples of AI-powered medical consultation platforms include:

• Your.MD or Healthily – a digital health-tech company has a chatbot to provide personalized health information – the company received the Unesco/Netexplo Award 2017 for ‘innovations that can improve society’
• Ada Health – This symptom assessment app has conducted over 26 million assessments worldwide as of 2023, demonstrating the growing trust in AI-powered health guidance.
• K Health – This AI-driven primary care platform offers personalized health assessments and virtual consultations, having served millions of users across the United States.

AI applications are poised to significantly impact healthcare economics, reduce medical costs while enhancing healthcare access, and improve diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and preventive care. A study by Accenture on the US Healthcare system suggests that key clinical health AI applications can potentially create $150 billion in annual savings for the US healthcare economy by 2026.

As we stand on the brink of this AI-driven healthcare revolution, it's clear that the future of medicine will be increasingly personalized, predictive, and proactive, thanks to the power of AI.

(Sources: www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/artificial-intelligence-ai-healthcare-market; www.accenture.com/us-en/insight-artificial-intelligence-healthcare; www.ada.com)

AI-Based Cancer Monitoring

The battle against cancer is being won with the help of artificial intelligence, with groundbreaking advancements revolutionizing cancer diagnosis and monitoring.

Paige Prostate, an AI-powered diagnostic tool developed by Paige, was the first AI-based pathology product to receive FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) clearance for prostate cancer diagnosis. This innovative software scrutinizes digitized biopsy images, pinpointing potential cancerous areas for pathologists to examine, significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency.

The success of Paige Prostate has catalyzed a surge in AI applications across oncology with recent developments including:

• Google Health's AI model, demonstrates 99% accuracy in detecting breast cancer in lymph node biopsies, outperforming human pathologists.
• Ibex Medical Analytics' Galen™ Breast, helps pathologists detect and grade different types of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer, as well as identify multiple other clinically significant features
• Optellum's Virtual Nodule Clinic employs AI for early-stage lung cancer diagnosis.

The rapid expansion of the global cancer AI-diagnostics market underscores AI's transformative potential in enhancing cancer detection, reducing diagnostic errors, and ultimately improving patient outcomes.

(Sources: www.nature.com/articles; www.alliedmarketresearch.com/artificial-intelligence-in-cancer-diagnostics-market-A11303; www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-authorizes-software-can-help-identify-prostate-cancer)

AI at Home

Smart Appliances

AI has truly come home, promising to transform our living spaces into hubs of domestic automation. From voice-activated virtual assistants to self-learning thermostats, AI is revolutionizing how we live and operate in our home environment.

The global smart home market is experiencing explosive growth and is projected to reach $537 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 27% ahead (Source: Grand View Research). This surge in home automation is driven by advancements in natural language processing, machine learning, and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. Today's smart appliances go far beyond simple voice commands:

• AI-powered refrigerators, like Samsung's Bespoke series, use computer vision to identify foods, suggest recipes, and manage expiration dates.
• Robot vacuums have evolved into multi-functional cleaning assistants. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra, for instance, combines LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) mapping with AI-powered obstacle avoidance and self-emptying capabilities.
• Smart ovens, such as the June Intelligent Oven is a Wi-Fi-enabled, app-connected countertop convection oven that employs machine learning and computer vision technologies to recognize foods and automatically adjust cooking settings for perfect results.

The integration of AI with 5G and edge computing is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in smart homes. We're moving towards a future where appliances not only respond to commands but anticipate needs, learn preferences, and seamlessly collaborate to optimize energy use and enhance our daily lives.

(Sources: www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/smart-home-automation-market; www.samsung.com/us/explore/family-hub-refrigerator/overview; www.juneoven.com)

Robotic Toys

Kids playtime meets AI technology! AI-powered robotic toys are revolutionizing the way children learn, interact, and develop crucial skills for the future. These intelligent companions aren't just about fun; they're opening doors to STEM education, emotional intelligence, and even therapeutic support.

The global educational robot market is set to skyrocket from $1.4B to $3.2B by 2027 (source: MarketsandMarkets) – reflecting the increasing recognition of AI toys as powerful educational tools. Today's robotic toys are pushing boundaries:

• Moxie, by Embodied Inc., uses advanced AI to engage children in daily conversations, storytelling, and mindfulness activities, supporting social-emotional development.
• ROYBI Robot, an AI-powered language learning companion, adapts its curriculum based on a child's progress, offering personalized education in multiple languages.
• Sphero BOLT, a programmable robotic ball, introduces coding concepts through play, allowing children to create and control their AI-driven adventures.

These toys aren't just teaching STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) skills – they're nurturing creativity, problem-solving abilities, and emotional intelligence. For children with special needs, AI toys like LuxAI's QTrobot are proving invaluable in autism therapy, helping improve social skills and emotional understanding.

As AI continues to advance, we can expect even more sophisticated and beneficial robotic toys. The future of play is not just smart; it's emotionally intelligent, adaptive, and tailored to each child's unique needs and potential.

(Source: www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports; www.embodied.com; www.sphero.com/sphero-bolt)

AI in Mobility

Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are no longer confined to science fiction; they're rapidly becoming a reality on our streets. The global autonomous vehicle market is projected to reach a staggering $450B by 2035 (Source: Allied Market Research) - reflecting the industry's relentless pursuit of a driverless future.

Recent milestones showcase the industry's rapid progress:

• Waymo (formerly known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project) was the first company to offer robotaxi services to the public without safety drivers in the vehicle.
• Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta serves as an advanced driver-assistance system although yet to reach a fully autonomous solution.
• Chinese tech giant Baidu received approval in 2023 to operate fully driverless robotaxis in Beijing, marking a significant leap forward in AV commercialization.

While the ultimate goal of Level-5 autonomy (full automation under all conditions) remains to be achieved, breakthroughs in AI, particularly in deep learning and computer vision, are pushing the boundaries for autonomous transport. The integration of advanced sensors, 5G connectivity, and edge computing is creating vehicles that don't just drive, but learn and adapt to their environment in real-time.

The implications of widespread AV adoption extend beyond transportation and will impact societal transformation reshaping urban planning, redefining job markets, and revolutionising logistics.

(Sources: www.alliedmarketresearch.com/autonomous-vehicle-market; www.waymo.com/waymo-one; www.tesla.com/autopilot)

AI in Micro-Mobility

As cities worldwide embrace the concept of '15-minute communities', AI-powered micro-mobility solutions are becoming ubiquitous, offering a glimpse into a future where short-distance travel is smarter, safer, and more sustainable than ever before.

This explosive growth of the global micro-mobility market is fuelled by the seamless integration of AI into e-scooters, e-bikes, and other Light Electric Vehicles (LEVs). Recent innovations are reshaping the micro-mobility landscape including:

• Tier Mobility's e-scooters now feature computer vision and edge AI to detect and adapt to different road surfaces, improving stability and rider experience.
• Voi Technology's Luna AI system uses advanced cameras and sensors to create high-precision maps of urban environments, enabling more accurate parking and riding zone enforcement.
• Lime's advanced AI system, introduced in 2023, can detect whether a rider is doubling up (two people on one scooter) or engaging in dangerous riding behaviors. The system sends real-time alerts to riders, promoting safer usage and reducing accidents.

These AI-driven capabilities address critical urban challenges like congestion, pedestrian safety, last-mile connectivity, and environmental sustainability. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, these smart vehicles can optimize routes, predict maintenance needs, and even contribute to urban planning by providing valuable data on travel patterns.

(Source: www.alliedmarketresearch.com/micro-mobility-market-A11372; www.superpedestrian.com/pedestrian-defense; www.voiscooters.com/blog/voi-partners-with-luna-to-launch-worlds-first-ai-equipped-e-scooters)

Conclusion

The integration of AI across diverse sectors is transforming the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us. In healthcare, AI-powered medical chatbots and cancer monitoring tools are revolutionizing patient care and diagnosis, making advanced healthcare accessible and efficient. At home, smart appliances and AI-driven robotic toys are not only enhancing our daily routines but also fostering a new generation of tech-savvy and emotionally intelligent children. Meanwhile, in mobility, the advent of autonomous vehicles and AI-enhanced micro-mobility solutions promises to reshape urban landscapes and transportation systems, making our cities smarter and more sustainable.

As AI continues to evolve, the key to harnessing its potential lies in our ability to embrace change, foster innovation, and ensure that AI serves humanity's best interests. The fusion of human creativity with artificial intelligence is not just transforming our present — it's creating our future.

The initial, part-1 of this series explores how AI is impacting strategic urban realms of energy conservation, urban management, and socio-economics.

About the Author

Rupak Chatterjee is a strategist in Urban Planning, Master Planning & Place Making.

He has a 'city-walks' blog, a heritage-destination blog, an AI-themed YouTube channel for youth, and has authored 'Youth to Infinity' – a book on youth success principles.