DOI: 10.4324/9781003384113-13 86 1.5 AI AND THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE CITY _AI’S DYNAMIC POWER IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF URBAN DESIGN Matias del Campo and Sandra Manninger Abstract This chapter explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on urban design, transcending traditional paradigms and ushering in a new era of data‑driven, generative approaches. Departing from linear processes, the text embraces a comprehensive perspective, acknowledging the multidimensional fac‑ tors shaping urban landscapes. The integration of AI in urban design takes cues from the way neural networks operate, dynamically responding to real‑time data inputs and historical iterations. Historical reference points, from Renaissance ideal cities to Modernism, serve as repositories guiding the interrogation of ur‑ ban morphology. The reasoning behind the text navigates the complexities of urban planning, emphasizing the role of humanities in crafting inclusive, meaningful designs. The interrogation delves into the historical intricacies, from Alberti’s Ideal City to Simmel’s analysis of metropolitan existence, whilst scrutinizing modernist move‑ ments like Dada, cubism, and futurism and contrasting them with antiurban ideologies in the works of Howard, Taut, and Wright. This chapter then transitions to the contemporary landscape, portraying AI’s disruptive moment in art and design. Drawing parallels with the modernist ex‑ plosion, it discusses the dichotomy between organic, hands‑on creation, and AI‑driven, data‑informed methodologies. The tension between technological precision and human creativity is explored, cautioning against the risk of detach‑ ing art from visceral experiences. The integration of AI in urban design is examined, emphasizing its potential in prediction, optimization, and generative design. AI’s capacity to process vast amounts of data is highlighted, offering evidence‑based insights and breaking free from traditional design molds. This chapter concludes by underscoring the ethical considerations of AI in urban design, emphasizing the need for human in‑ tuition to complement computational insights and safeguard principles of equity and social justice.