Once sci-fi fantasy, AI now is able to predict the city’s future like a crystal ball, thanks to the visionary projects at the University of Hong Kong.
Spearheaded by Professor Chao Huang of the Computer Science Department and his innovative team, including lead researcher Zhonghang Li, they are revolutionising our understanding of urban systems.
Meet “Urban GPT” and “Open City,” two projects designed to make our cities not just smarter, but future-predictable. Buckle up and let’s see what the future of urban living looks like.
Q: What is Urban GPT?
A: Imagine a crystal ball that can tell you what’s going to happen in your city—that’s Urban GPT. This incredible large-language model forecasts everything from traffic flow and transportation demand to even crime predictions. No need for coding skills or an engineering background. Just chat with Urban GPT in natural language, give it a few basic details and instructions, and it’ll whip up predictions in a flash—under a second.
Q: What sets Urban GPT apart from other smart city AI tools?
A:
Versatility on Demand
While most smart city tools are programmed for specific tasks, Urban GPT is an AI multitasker. From traffic to crime prediction, it’s got all bases covered.
Ready When You Are
Urban GPT does not rely on years of training with long-term historical data. It’s designed to deliver high-accuracy predictions from day one. Even under zero-shot scenarios, Urban GPT still maintains high accuracy.
Q: Who will reap the rewards of Urban GPT?
A: By harnessing cutting-edge predictive analytics, city planners can seamlessly optimise traffic flow and strategically deploy law enforcement resources. The result? A future-forward approach to urban operations that ensures cities run smoother and smarter.
Q: What is Open City?
A: Open City is the driving force behind Urban GPT, helping it analyse urban data effectively. Professor Huang and his team discovered that smaller cities often lack the tech needed for large models, so they created their own urban foundation model from scratch to make sure it works for everyone.
Q: What are the common concerns about AI tools?
Scalability and Implementation: However, Professor Huang’s team is adept at deploying AI tools across varied urban landscapes, ensuring easy integration with existing systems.
Data Privacy and Security: Using advanced techniques like federated learning, they ensure your data remains private, while still fully utilising AI’s capabilities.
Q: What is the next step?
A: Professor Huang and his team are developing an AI assistant. Imaging Jarvis from the movie “Iron Man”. With the support of Urban GPT and Open City, this AI assistance can help you plan a long trip. No need to worry about flight tickets, sightseeing routes or travel plan. Your personal AI assistant will handle it all with just a snap of your fingers.
More about Prof. Huang’s other researches and initiatives: https://sites.google.com/view/chaoh