In the face of climate change, cities are particularly vulnerable to heat waves, which are exacerbated by the urban heat island effect. Traditional building materials (asphalt, concrete, glass) store heat and contribute to raising ambient temperatures by several degrees.1. Air conditioning, in turn, increases energy demand and exacerbates greenhouse gas emissions.
\n\nAgainst this backdrop, “thermoregulating” materials are emerging as a promising structural solution. Their rapid development today relies on an unexpected driver: artificial intelligence.
\n\nThermoregulating materials are designed to reduce heat transfer between the exterior and interior of a building without consuming electricity. They are sometimes inspired by the natural properties of certain living organisms (bio-inspired design) or make use of complex physical phenomena (spectral reflectance, thermal emissivity).
\n\nRecent innovations include:
\n\nThese materials are being tested on roofs, walls, and even roads. They are expected to reduce indoor temperatures by up to 5°C, which will have a significant impact on comfort and energy consumption.
\n\nThe development of these complex materials is greatly accelerated by artificial intelligence.2. Researchers are using machine learning to:
\n\nDatabases containing thousands of configurations are analyzed by the AI, which identifies those that offer the best balance between solar reflection, durability, and architectural integration.
\n\nThe adoption of these materials could significantly lower urban temperatures, mitigating heat waves and reducing the need for air conditioning. It will also lead to a transformation of professional practices:
\n\nAI is thus becoming an integral part of the construction industry’s value chain, creating a need for new hybrid skills.
\n\nAs with any technological development driven by AI, several precautions are necessary:
\n\nWe must also ensure that these innovations do not create new inequalities in access to energy efficiency.
\n\nThe combination of adaptive materials and artificial intelligence opens up promising prospects:
\n\nThis trend heralds a new generation of cities that are more resilient, sustainable, and adaptable, where AI becomes an ally in promoting both energy efficiency and climate comfort.4.
\n\n1. Nature Communications. (2023). A passive cooling paint with superior solar reflectance.
https://www.nature.com/\n
2. MIT News. (2024). How AI is speeding up materials discovery.
\nhttps://news.mit.edu/\n
3. European Commission. (2024). Sustainable Construction and Energy Performance Regulation.
\nhttps://ec.europa.eu/\n
4. Science Advances. (2025). Thermal metamaterials for urban heat mitigation.
\nhttps://www.science.org//\n
In the face of climate change, cities are particularly vulnerable to heat waves, which are exacerbated by the urban heat island effect. Traditional building materials (asphalt, concrete, glass) store heat and contribute to raising ambient temperatures by several degrees.
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