March 13, 2025
Artificial intelligence-powered technologies — particularly generative AI — appear to have reached "peak hype," sparking new questions and concerns as the initial excitement wanes.
There are concerns about the reliability of models and AI's environmental impacts, (read more in "Deep Dive: AI's Double-edged Sword" in the 2025 Trend Report for Planners) but the central issue for the midterm future is whether we should allow AI-powered systems to have greater decision-making authority in the pursuit of optimal, efficient solutions for the public good. Decision-making power, of course, requires access to a lot of our data.
As local and state governments explore AI's potential by deploying chatbots and digital twins, the rise of politicians and executives using AI for decision-making could significantly affect how society functions.
In 2024, Victor Miller ran for mayor in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with an unconventional campaign promise: If elected, he would let an AI bot make decisions for him. A British businessman ran for Parliament with a similar pledge. They lost their races decisively, but nonetheless set precedents for the use of AI in political campaigns. For planners, this trend may present other challenges, particularly in navigating relationships with politicians who increasingly rely on AI models and AI-generated content, if not fully automated decision-making algorithms.
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The private sector already is embracing AI for decision-making, using it to optimize operations and boost profits. Will we see a bot in the C-suite? A recent survey found that nearly half of CEOs believe AI could automate much of their roles, and according to Jack Ma, CEO of Alibaba, "a robot will likely be on the cover of Time magazine [in the future] as the best CEO." While AI excels in tasks such as competitive analysis and performance evaluation, it is still not advanced enough to fully develop strategies on its own, nor does it have the soft skills required for effective leadership.
These developments suggest that AI's influence in leadership roles — whether in politics or business — will only grow, with profound implications for how we approach elections and government.
Policing the police
Despite a lack of comprehensive AI regulation, police departments in the U.S. and worldwide already are adopting AI-powered software for crime prediction and suspect identification. That raises concerns about bias in the AI training data, which could reinforce inequalities and lead to unfair outcomes.
The increasing use of drones for surveillance raises concerns about overpolicing of disadvantaged communities. A growing reliance on AI in law enforcement presents a new challenge: how to prepare communities for the reality of constant surveillance and data collection. Planners can serve as representatives of their communities to advocate for equity and collaborate with law enforcement to develop better guidance and regulations.
As AI technologies advance, there's a growing risk of not being unable to distinguish human text, images, and voice from machines. OpenAI founder Sam Altman's proposed solution is World ID, which scans individuals' irises for unique identification and verification. However, since its 2023 launch, it has faced bans in several countries and sparked significant controversy.
A new concern is arising over how to protect neural data, which originates from an individual's brain and nerves, and can readily be collected through a growing number of consumer products. In 2024, Colorado and California became the first states to enact legislation regarding the protection of neural data.
No matter how powerful AI becomes, planners must maintain a critical stance towards these technologies, advocating for careful protection of personal data, supporting historically disenfranchised communities, and promoting more equitable development of AI.
This content is part of the APA Trend Talks series, created in collaboration with the 2025 Trend Report for Planners. The report features more than 100 trends identified by the APA Foresight team, while the monthly Trend Talks series provides additional insights to help planners navigate and shape the future of the profession.
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