Corvinus researcher Balázs Lengyel: city life still matters in the age of AI and innovation

Knowledge flows primarily through human relationships rather than online channels, highlights Balázs Lengyel, leading professor at the Corvinus Institute for Advanced Studies (CIAS), in a recent interview published today on Telex, which explores the connections between innovation, urban systems and social inequality. 

According to the researcher, cities are not only economic hubs but also complex networks of relationships, where everyday interactions, collaborations and encounters play a key role in how innovation emerges. The more complex an idea is, the more it depends on personal contact and repeated face-to-face interaction. 

One of the key themes of the interview is how internal inequalities within cities can hinder social mobility. Research suggests that a lack of connections between different social groups may contribute to marginalisation, while greater social permeability, for example through schools or community ties, can create long-term opportunities. 

Artificial intelligence plays a dual role in this process: while it can support catch-up in many areas, it cannot replace the social networks that underpin real professional and economic advancement. Increasingly, competition is shifting towards the ability to manage complex projects and build relationships. 

The interview concludes that the key drivers of urban development remain diversity, cooperation and the quality of human connections. Without these, technological progress alone is not enough to create more equitable and innovative cities. 

The full interview is available in Hungarian via this link.