Week in Review: Agentic AI and Nick Bray on Who Runs the Future

This week’s What is The Future for Cities? Podcast episodes—303 and 304—threw us into the deep end of AI’s urban takeover. From agentic AI acting on its own to Nick Bray’s call for human control, it’s been a ride. Here’s what we learned, and why it’s got me thinking about who’s really shaping our cities.

Agentic AI: AI That Acts, Not Just Thinks (Ep 303)

Episode 303, breaking down VANTIQ’s Agentic AI: The Future is Now white paper, hit us with AI that’s more than a brain—it’s a doer. Reactive agents tweak traffic lights on the fly; learning ones predict fires before they roar. Healthcare, safety, cities—it’s everywhere, crunching data humans can’t touch. The white paper’s examples (think fraud-busting finance AIs) show the scope, but cities stole the spotlight. Picture this: an AI rerouting your commute as an accident unfolds, or flagging smoke from a random camera. It’s fast, freaky, and already here.

But it’s not magic. These agents need real-time data—sensors, feeds, the works—and someone to point them. Without that, they’re blind or, worse, reckless. The episode’s vibe? AI’s a beast—tame it, and cities win; let it loose, and good luck.

Nick Bray: Humans Still Call the Shots (Ep 304)

Nick Bray, VANTIQ’s VP of Global Defence and Security, brought the human side in Episode 304. “The plan’s always adapting,” he said, pushing open systems where AI bends to us, not the other way around. His wildfire bit—AI spotting smoke, humans deciding—nails it: tech’s a partner, not a boss. And his “non-deterministic” twist? Sensors update AI every heartbeat, so it’s not stuck in the past.

He’s got optimism—“opportunities we haven’t figured out”—but no rose-colored glasses. Tech’s coming, “genie’s out,” and we can’t stop it. His fix? Steer it, share it, don’t let it ditch half the population. It’s less about AI’s smarts and more about our guts—do we grab the reins or not?

Takeaway: It’s On Us

Here’s the stitch: 303 shows AI’s already moving—traffic, disasters, you name it. 304 says we’re not screwed if we act—Nick’s all about human imagination over machine fate. Together, they’re a wake-up call. Agentic AI could unclog streets or save lives, but it’s not automatic. Who’s left behind—poor neighborhoods? Tech deserts? Nick’s equity plea hits hard: we’ve got to spread this, not hoard it.

For me, it’s about agency. Cities are ours—messy, loud, alive—not AI’s sandbox. These eps say we’ve got power if we use it.

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So, what’s your move? Are we driving this AI wave or just drowning in it?

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Catch 303 and 304 and weigh in.

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