1st Edition
AI and Language in the Urban Context Conversational Artificial Intelligence in Cities
Introduction: From computer-aided design to conversational AI 1. Language as urban technology 2. Scripting the city 3. Core functions of LLMs in the urban context 4. Tuning the city 5. Tokenization 6. The meaning and use of words 7. Context windows 8. Time and order 9. The attention economy 10. Urban actors 11. Panpsychic city 12. The end of cities 13. Epilogue: Romancing the conversational city Glossary and Appendices
Biography
Richard Coyne is Emeritus Professor of Architectural Computing at the University of Edinburgh, where his research explores the intersections of digital technology, urban environments and architecture.
"AI and Language in the Urban Context is a bold and interdisciplinary book that reimagines cities as linguistic ecosystems deeply intertwined with conversational AI. Its critical reflections, philosophical depth, and cultural sensitivity distinguish it from mainstream “smart city” narratives. Its theoretical contribution is undeniable: it challenges us to rethink AI not only as a technical infrastructure but as a semiotic actor in the drama of urban life. For readers across disciplines, Coyne’s book is a valuable provocation—inviting us to see the city as a conversational entity where meaning, narrative, and technology continually coproduce the urban future."
Review in AI and Society Journal
