Chatbots could aid urban planning, researchers say

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-06-09 19:00

Australia; New Zealand; International

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In a new Perspective article, NZ, Australian, and international researchers suggest large language models could become 'copilots' for human urban planners. Chatbots trained on local data and planning knowledge could act as a database, while more specialised language models could create draft reports and do other repetitive tasks, functioning as 'virtual assistants'. The authors say that by incorporating ethical and professional standards, chatbots could even be used as 'AI partners' to generate new planning ideas or help resolve disputes. They note, however, that there are challenges around developing and using such specialised chatbots, risks of bias, and trust.