Life is rhythm. Change only makes sense in relation to stability. A constant interplay between the two brings progress. This precludes control and domination, a challenge for IUPF.

Humans evolved continuously by resorting to technology

-starting point: living with/from nature

-means to an end:  making tools, cultivating land, using machines, adopting virtual reality

-end in itself: replacing the human brain?

The climate change crisis, attributed at least in parts to human action, revived the debate of humans vs nature, nature vs nurture, or humans as part of nature which has shaped human philosophies and will continue to do so. According to the (Western) enlightenment paradigm humans (have the right to) dominate, conquer, extract and plunder nature. Conversely, Eastern philosophy as well as indigenous worldviews conceive humans and nature as oneness, an inherent part of life.

These models of thinking contrast binary opposites to interconnectedness. How do these concepts of confrontational vs harmonious existence relate to the latest technological breakthroughs of Artificial Intelligence which some claim will displace humans altogether?

To this day the protagonists of Artificial Intelligence were unable to agree on its meaning or on a definition of intelligence as such. Artificial Intelligence systems have their own differences. Since the 1950s symbolists opposed connectionists. For the former intelligence comes from knowing, for the latter from learning. The connectionists won as their Ais could be monetised. IUPF has created a working group on AI where members can exchange their experiences with AI in their profession and AI impacts on cities.

Are reflections on these developments relevant to IUPF? Can they contribute towards a framework of life-long-learning, as basis for actions to improve cities for their users?

Action and form need to evolve in parallel. Form cannot become the stranglehold of action and action without context can be ineffective and/or destructive. If IUPF’s work in progress is about undertaking actions, devising form and creating knowledge which one should take precedence?

Judith Ryser. London 16 May 2026