arXiv:2601.21977v1 Announce Type: cross
Abstract: Traditional architectural simulations (e.g. Computational Fluid Dynamics, evacuation, structural analysis) model elements as deterministic physics-based “particles” rather than cognitive “agents”. To bridge this, we introduce textbfAgentic Environmental Simulations, where Large Multimodal generative models actively predict the next state of spatial environments based on semantic expectation. Drawing on examples from accessibility-oriented AR pipelines and multimodal digital twins, we propose a shift from chronological time-steps to Episodic Spatial Reasoning, where simulations advance through meaningful, surprisal-triggered events. Within this framework we posit AI hallucinations as diagnostic tools. By formalizing the textbfCognitive Friction ($C_f$) it is possible to reveal “Phantom Affordances”, i.e. semiotic ambiguities in built space. Finally, we challenge current HCI paradigms by treating environments as dynamic cognitive partners and propose a human-centered framework of cognitive orchestration for designing AI-driven simulations that preserve autonomy, affective clarity, and cognitive integrity.
Infectious disease burden and surveillance challenges in Jordan and Palestine: a systematic review and meta-analysis
BackgroundJordan and Palestine face public health challenges due to infectious diseases, with the added detrimental factors of long-term conflict, forced relocation, and lack of resources.