Artificial Intelligence- PROPOSING A SHIFT !!

Artificial intelligence (AI) is perceived as, “the architecture of thrill.”

The thrill aspect of this is very similar to the fact that technologies are driven to help people save a lot of time, so they could invest the remaining into something more valuable. But what if most of the work they have in their hands is being overtaken by the proposed technological measures themselves? Will this not be a problem? Will it not act as the replacement for the efforts they have been putting to work, where the credits are simply rewarded to the AI?

The backbone of modern computing, AI is the set of robust datasets and computer sciences, which works on a series of algorithms drafting the whole requirements together, thereby, eliminating the processes of pen and paper for the development of ideas. AI analyses tons of information and suggests the outcomes accordingly, making the clients simply revert to the computers for the desired design drafts. Here comes the scenario where somehow the fundamentals of understanding get neglected amidst the race of setting up the perfect actions which could bring out the results within seconds. Algorithms do rely on humans, so when it comes to working out the design requirements why did we shift and lose the faith in the analytical thinking of our brains? Here, ‘saving time,’ could not be the only excuse anymore. The foremost roots of architecture lie in the grounds of understanding and being associated with the context of the project. AI lacks in the fore-structure of the same. The computer-driven algorithms are not aligned with the contextual aspects, as unlike humans, they cannot be formalized on the changes accordingly. The output of the algorithms would be formulated on the input that has been set already, irrespective of the fact that the scenarios for the problems could be different. They do what they are told to do and therefore the judgment of right or wrong is nil for them. If they encounter a situation that is unfamiliar to them then they perform incorrectly or else break down in such situations. As they simply can’t alter their responses to changing environments. AI cannot be improved with experience as it will perform the same function again if no different command is given to them. With time, it can lead to wear and tear, as it stores a lot of data and the way it can be accessed is very different from human intelligence.

AI works excellently as an accelerator, but building it further as a replacement for manual work is something to be worried about. This technology has entered almost every market, architecture being no exception to that. The need is to monitor its increased usage, which has formulated certain new languages into the architectural field, of which Parametric architecture is a top-notch example. Parametric architecture deals with the simple evaluation of the algorithms set into the systems to study and iterate the multiple design outcomes of the given project. Architecture, which is meant to be devised out of the basic fundamental of the places, its materials, and particularly its contextual conditions, has been transformed into the layers of iterated facades and modern building blocks. With such advancements, the uniqueness of traditional architecture gets lost in the web of technical datasets. This global architectural style intends to make almost every city, a smart one, where the designs are the mere outputs of the AI and the work is managed through the tips of computer keys.

If such progress continues, soon tech expertise will somehow take precedence over knowledge as the dynamic nature of traditional architecture, which varied from place to place, would be made into a similar global style where the architectural language of a particular place is no different from the other. It’s the same as if students are asked to write an essay, and the AI is sorting it out just by a few keywords fed into it. But will this be a good effort? If they had to develop it by themselves even by granting a good amount of time, the output would be based on the unique understanding of the individuals. This is how architecture should be perceived and worked upon.

The vernacularism in architecture, the contextual links, and the traditional approaches are what made the design true to its roots. Unlike these, AI’s emergence in the architectural field will force its users to remodel the traditional design of the place where the forces are driven by data and feedback, communicating within themselves like a living organism. Here, the economic benefits of such increased efficiencies are pretty clear on the profit-loss statements of businesses, but the overall benefits to society and the human condition are still a bit more opaque.