Impression on Prototyping
Image Credit: HCC
Impression on Prototyping
Image Credit: HCC
Impression on Prototyping
Image Credit: HCC
Activity
The workshop began with an introduction to speculative design, an approach that uses imaginative, often fictional scenarios to provoke discussion of future possibilities and societal implications. Participants were introduced to the concept of the Future Cone of Possibilities, which illustrates how different futures, namely possible, plausible, probable, and preferable, can emerge depending on technological developments and social, political, and ethical choices. Building on these concepts, participants formed six interdisciplinary groups and engaged in a hands-on design activity. Using a wide range of craft materials, they were tasked with creating their own “Magic AI Machines,” which are physical artifacts representing future AI systems designed to address societal challenges and strengthen human resilience. The central design prompt asked: How can we overcome the black-box problem of AI—what AI is, how it works, and how decisions are made—to become more resilient as individuals and societies? Importantly, the activity prioritized imagination and critical reflection over technical feasibility. Participants were encouraged to move beyond current technological constraints and envision AI systems that promote transparency, human values, and collective well-being.