INTRODUCTION: At present, China's urbanization continues to develop, but the level of urban planning and design has not kept pace with the progress of development, especially the creation of street space in small cities, which is still not able to adapt to the current needs of people's cultural life. With the development of the economy and science and technology, artificial intelligence and other information technologies are constantly integrated into daily life. Therefore, utilizing artificial intelligence for street space design research is significant.
 OBJECTIVES: To improve the development level of artificial intelligence, information technology, and the application level of artificial intelligence in China; to solve the problem of the relatively low level of street space design in the current city, especially in small towns, to meet the needs of people's cultural life; to promote the improvement of the level of artificial intelligence in China for the convenience of civil life, and to further improve the level of street space design in China.
 METHODS: Firstly discusses the theories, such as the principles of street space design in small cities, to illustrate the necessity of integrating AI into street space design in small towns; secondly, the model established by AI is used to optimize the street space in small cities; finally, the feasibility of integrating AI design into street space design in small towns is illustrated through cases and examples.
 RESULTS: Street space design in small cities in China needs more design aesthetics, and artificial intelligence needs to be integrated into street space design. Artificial intelligence has a noticeable optimization effect on street space design, and using artificial intelligence can improve the design level of limited space. Also illustrates that artificial intelligence can be better integrated into the street space design of small cities through cases.
 CONCLUSION: In the context of the digital era, the street space design of small cities needs to apply artificial intelligence. In modernization-oriented urban construction, the street space design level of small towns should be further strengthened to improve the modernization level of cities.