It took a few days to let the inspirational buzz in my brain settle from the AI and Experience Design Conference that unfolded on January 23 & 24, 2024 in the historic Trippenhuis in Amsterdam. Now, I feel able to articulate some reflections around this “new” technology that promises to reshape our world. I started by shuffling back through my pages of notes – picking out each time I drew a thought bubble with an accompanying “aha moment” next to it…
The two-day conference (organised by Derek Lomas from TU Delft and supported by Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen, in English the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences) was filled with presentations and demos of fascinating people doing fascinating things with AI – creative coders pushing the boundaries of their models, digital designers creating more inclusive prototypes, artists envisioning more-than-human futures collaborating with AI. The speakers and attendees were wonderfully diverse in thought and practice. From these discussions, and those that happened over coffee breaks, at lunch, and on our walk to the Embassy of the Free Mind, eight key takeaways have risen to the surface in my mind, offering a glimpse into the nuanced intersection of artificial intelligence and human experience.
1. The Crucial Role of Qualitative Research
One resounding theme that returned again and again during the conference was the undeniable need for qualitative research in the vast space of AI. Because, ultimately, we are entering into a new and uncharted space. Amidst the sea of data and algorithms, understanding the nuanced human experience remains a cornerstone for meaningful AI integration.
2. AI as a Catalyst for Creativity
Contrary to fears of automation stifling creativity, the conference illuminated AI’s potential as a powerful tool to facilitate and enhance creative processes. From aiding design thinking to sparking new ideas to helping visualise new futures, AI emerges as a collaborator rather than a competitor in the creative realm.
3. Challenging Our Notions of Humanity
Perhaps the most profound takeaway is the existential question AI forces us to confront – what makes us human? As we delegate tasks to machines and witness AI’s ability to mimic human thought processes, we find ourselves reevaluating the essence of our humanity. These are the big questions we must keep asking ourselves…
4. Bridging the Knowledge Gap with Early Education
Acknowledging the rapid integration of AI into our daily lives, the importance of early education around its use surfaced as a critical necessity. Empowering individuals with the knowledge to navigate the AI landscape and understand its potential harms from an early age is key to fostering a society adept at harnessing its potential for good.
5. The Innovation Front: Creative Experimentation with AI
One exciting revelation from the conference was the surge of creative experimentation with AI. Artists, designers, and developers are rapidly exploring the technology’s potential, pushing boundaries and reshaping their domains in the process.
6. Uncharted Territory: AI’s Impact on Human Senses
Despite our deepening engagement with AI, there remains a notable gap in understanding how this technology impacts our fundamental human physical and emotional senses. Exploring this phenomenon is vital to ensuring that AI enhances rather than detracts from our health and well-being.
7. Crafting a Social Code for AI
While AI rapidly evolves, the need for a robust social code on how to responsibly use this technology becomes increasingly evident. Ethical considerations and responsible practices should underpin the development and deployment of AI systems to ensure a harmonious integration into society. This “code” is something that will need to be developed through messy conversations and dedicated action by many.
8. Shaping the New Age of Human-AI Relationship
As we stand on the cusp of a new era, the question of how we want to shape the relationship between humans and AI takes centre stage. Deliberate and thoughtful considerations must guide our interactions, ensuring a symbiotic partnership that leverages AI’s capabilities without compromising our humanity. Just like in any relationship, we need to understand values of trust, transparency, equity and more.
In the wake of the conference, I find myself feeling much more optimistic about AI than when I walked in on that Tuesday morning. Of course, there are still many (BIG) unanswered questions and the possibility of an AI WALL-E reality sometimes haunts my thoughts. But all in all, I think we are living through an interesting moment in history where we have a chance to learn from the past and build a better future that we want to live in – and that’s pretty exciting, don’t you think?
By Katy Barnard and ChatGPT 3.5