Revealed: What AI’s British cities will look like in 2050 – so, will where you live change?
- A film editor has used AI to imagine what five cities will look like in 2050
- The resulting images show a series of futuristic transportation systems
From London’s Big Ben to Edinburgh Castle, many British cities are instantly recognizable thanks to their striking buildings.
But according to artificial intelligence (AI), these famous landmarks could be hidden behind massive transportation systems in just 26 years.
Brighton-based film editor Duncan Thomsen used AI to imagine what five of Britain’s biggest cities could look like in 2050.
The resulting images show a series of futuristic transportation systems moving through the cities, resembling scenes from Blade Runner.
“I love the idea of this Blade Runner future – it brought a smile to my face,” Mr Thomsen said.
Film editor Duncan Thomsen used AI to imagine what five of Britain’s biggest cities could look like in 2050. In the photo: London
The resulting images show a series of futuristic transportation systems moving through the cities, resembling scenes from Blade Runner. In the photo: Edinburgh
Duncan, from Brighton, used Midjourney software via the Discord application to create the images.
He asked AI to create a futuristic British city for 2050, preserving historic architecture and predicting public transport based on current ideas.
He then added vehicles that would operate in the area.
“I wanted to show how today’s 20- and 30-year-olds will shape their future the way today’s 50- and 60-year-olds have designed their future,” he said.
“With so many things available to them, like AI and design structures, this will impact every country on the planet.
‘I wanted to show how you can keep a city British and make it of global importance to people.
‘They are all very exciting. London will always be somewhat at the forefront of design.”
This is not the first time Mr Thomsen has used AI to represent Britain.
Last year the film editor used Midjourney to capture images of ‘average people’ in 13 provinces.
Duncan, from Brighton, used Midjourney software via the Discord application to create the images. In the photo: Manchester
He asked AI to create a futuristic British city for 2050, preserving historic architecture and predicting public transport based on current ideas. Pictured: Cardiff
He typed certain sentences to achieve the results.
For Tyne and Wear, for example, he typed: ‘Tyne and Wear as a portrait characterized by their clothing, hairstyles and personalities’.
He also added: ‘Social, outgoing and proud of local roots, interested in music, art and football, fast people never turn down a night out with friends.’
The AI-generated images show Londoners as trendy and cool, while Somerset residents look more bohemian.
And those from Oxfordshire are depicted as young and urban, compared to Norfolk residents who are seen as older and rural.
Mr Thomsen said: ‘Somerset is nice because I like the color and the beard of the man – it made me laugh.
‘I also liked the Scottish and Welsh ones because they have a lot of character.’
“I wanted to show how today’s 20- and 30-year-olds will shape their future the way today’s 50- and 60-year-olds have designed their future,” he said. In the photo: Birmingham