Academician: "AI technologies necessitate the coexistence of physical construction architecture and digital architecture"

Under the influence of the Fifth Industrial Revolution, the rise of "smart city," "smart village," and "smart settlement" models necessitates a synthesis of traditional architectural approaches and digital architecture. While architectural monuments of previous industrial revolutions were characterized by long-term permanence, the regular hardware and software updates required by modern "smart living spaces" as cyber-physical systems necessitate a flexible and responsible approach to cybersecurity and data privacy. Consequently, developing architectural objects as dynamic, adaptive systems has become a critical necessity in the modern era.

Academician Rasim Alguliyev, Vice-President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) and Director General of the Institute of Information Technology of the Ministry of Science and Education, made these remarks in a statement to AZERTAC.

The Vice-President of ANAS noted that the application of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and digital innovations, has been rapidly expanding in the fields of architecture, construction, transport, and urban planning in recent years, emphasizing that these processes constitute one of the key directions of state policy implemented within the context of digital and green transformations.

The academician pointed out that the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum, to be held by the United Nations in Baku from May 17–22 this year, presents new scientific and technological challenges for the country. He noted that hosting this prestigious international event in the republic necessitates the broader integration of digital and artificial intelligence technologies within the fields of architecture and urban planning.

The scholar noted that the state policy on digital transformation that shaped in Azerbaijan in recent years has had a direct impact on the fields of architecture, construction, and urban planning. He emphasized that the “Action Plan for Accelerating Digital Development in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2028,” approved by President Ilham Aliyev, has defined new research directions and application-oriented tasks for the scientific community.

"In the modern era, any architectural construction project must incorporate the requirements of digital architecture within 'smart homes' and 'smart cities' that emerge as intelligent cyber-physical systems built on rapidly evolving Internet of Things (IoT) technologies; furthermore, necessary measures must be taken to continuously enhance the digital skills, capabilities, and overall literacy of the residents of these settlements. In other words, within the context of contemporary technological challenges and realities, physical architecture and digital architecture must complement one another, ensuring that the requirements of virtual space are considered alongside the living standards of physical space," the scholar stated.

AZƏRTAC