ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the early adoption of artificial intelligence in the development assessment process within urban and regional planning in New South Wales, Australia. It examines the potential of existing AI products, the human labour required to assemble specific planning datasets, and the implications for management processes. Interviews with metropolitan and regional local government staff provide insights into practical applications and challenges. The study situates these findings within a broader narrative of neoliberal influences on urban planning, focusing on speed, efficiency, and market-driven systems. It highlights the possibilities of AI, while also highlighting concerns such as data accuracy, governance, and the commodification of technology. The discussion provides multiple perspectives on the integration of AI in planning, presenting diverse approaches and advocating for a careful implementation of AI products while continuing to investigate the source of inefficiencies in the development assessment process.
