Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a more common fixture in everyday life. From robot servers at restaurants to unmanned registers at stores, there isn’t a place where AI isn’t participating in our world.

So when an Indian architect wanted to get an idea of what the future of cities would be, he asked an image bot to create a vision for him of what might lie ahead for the human race.

Manas Bhatia, who lives in New Delhi, is an architect and computational designer. He believes that by using the power that AI has, and incorporating the beauty that surrounds us in nature, there are no limits to what our future cities could look like.

To explore this vision, he turned to an AI imaging tool called Midjourney, which generates stunning digital images based on written prompts.

Bhatia’s project, titled “AI x Future Cities,” aims to bridge the relationship between humans and the environment. By inputting prompts such as “Utopian Technology” and “Futuristic Towers,” Bhatia collaborated with the AI software to develop a unique vision of cities that seamlessly integrates nature into the urban landscape.

Images courtesy of Manas Bhatia

Unlike the dystopian depictions often associated with AI-generated artwork, Midjourney produced awe-inspiring images featuring buildings enveloped in vertical forests and vegetation, drawing inspiration from the organic shapes found in nature. Bhatia’s partnership with AI allowed him to explore creative possibilities beyond what human minds alone could conceive.

“The trial-and-error part is the most fun,” Bhatia said in an interview with CNN.

We use AI to create images and, in the process, the AI trains itself and improves over time.”

One of Bhatia’s projects, “Symbiotic Architecture,” envisions a future where buildings are constructed using living materials. Prompted by words like “giant” and “hollowed,” the AI-generated images showcased apartment blocks built inside hollowed-out trees, inspired by the majestic Hyperion tree in California, known as the world’s tallest living tree. 

Bhatia’s fascination with the idea of a building’s “skin” being organic and inspired by nature drove him to explore how buildings could regulate their own temperature and ventilation through natural processes.

While AI-generated art has sparked debates about creativity and artistic integrity, Bhatia embraces AI as a valuable tool for artists and designers. He asserts that art is open to interpretation, and any creative individual can utilize AI to enhance their work. 

For Bhatia, AI is just another tool. “Art is completely open to interpretation,” he said.

And an artist can use any kind of tool there is to create art. Anyone can use AI, but they won’t be able to achieve as good a result as a creative person.”

Bhatia’s optimism for the future of AI in architecture extends beyond his own projects. He believes that architects and designers who can work with AI hold immense potential for innovation and positive change. 

As society continues to grapple with the urgent need for sustainable practices and eco-friendly solutions, Bhatia’s vision, he believes, offers a glimmer of hope. His integration of AI and nature in architecture shows a shift towards environmentally conscious designs that prioritize the well-being of both humans and the planet.

“It has tremendous potential,” Bhatia said. “At our studio, we tried using AI to generate mood board images for a client presentation, and that went very well. In the near future, architects and designers combined with AI would be something to hope for.”

For a look at Bhatia’s visions for the future, check it out below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQ84pj2pyv8

Sources: Good News Network | CNN | My Modern Met