Augmentation or automation? The expanding role of artificial intelligence in urban planning and governance

AI is increasingly being introduced into urban governance and planning, yet its practical roles remain uneven and often unclear. This article examines how AI is currently used in urban administrations and how it shapes decision‑making processes. The study combines desk research, an empirical analysis of the Atlas of Urban AI, and Delphi surveys with experts. The findings show that most applications primarily function as decision‑support systems that augment administrative and analytical capacities, for example through data analysis, environmental monitoring, or mobility forecasting. In some areas, however, routine administrative processes are already becoming partially automated. AI in cities currently operates within hybrid governance arrangements in which algorithmic systems support rather than replace human decision‑making. While these technologies can enhance the efficiency and information base of urban governance, their integration raises important challenges related to transparency, accountability, data quality, and potential biases that need to be addressed to support sustainable urban development.