What is the future
you want from AI?
or
A project by the Societal Impact of AI Initiative at Erasmus University Rotterdam
Co-creating just AI imaginaries
The AImaginaries project aims to move beyond the allure of cutting-edge technology and industry-driven narratives about our technological futures. Instead, the purpose of this project is to foster a conversation about possible futures with AI that are more justice-driven, prioritizing the needs and perspectives of diverse communities.
This project consists of an ongoing series of workshops in which participants collaboratively produce alternative visions for a shared technological future.
The AImaginaries Workshops
With the AImaginaries workshops, we invite organizations and individuals from all walks of life to contribute their perspectives, experiences, and knowledge to creating alternative future visions.
In the workshops, we introduced people to the possibilities and limitations of generative AI tools like Chat GPT, HuggingChat, Blockade Labs, and DALL-E, and encourage creative and reflective uses of these tools.
Using these tools, we collectively create scenarios of the future, which we use to discuss what a more fair and just future might looks like, as well as what role AI might play in this future.
Part 1
We kick-off with a short presentation in which we explore AI, socio-technical imaginaries, and questions of justice. Participants are asked to write down 3 prompts during the presentation: a future event, an AI technology, and a justice principle.
Part 2
Participants divide into groups in which they will create fantastical dystopian scenarios using generative AI tools. To do this, they use the prompts created during the presentation, as well as an instruction sheet to guide them through the activity. We briefly discuss and reflect on the activity within the larger group.
Part 3
Participants are then tasked with transforming their dystopian scenario into a more desirable future. They do this using their justice principle prompts or creating new scenarios from scratch.
Part 4
Each group presents their scenario in a plenary. We discuss and draw lessons from the use of AI tools, desirable and undesirable futures, and the role played by AI technologies in these futures.
Why we started the AImaginaries project
The goal of the project is not to produce academic research outcomes, but rather to apply theoretical and empirical knowledge to a project that promotes positive societal impact.
We do this through working with the concept of socio-technical imaginaries.
What are socio-technical imaginaries?
These are collectively held visions of the future, shaped by societal norms, business interests, popular culture, the political environment, and technological developments.
Why do they matter?
These collective visions of the future have a critical role in shaping the development and integration of technology within society. They matter because they influence not only the design of technological systems but also the societal values, policies, and practices that accompany them. Our collective visions of the future guide decision-making, resource allocation, and the distribution of benefits and risks across society.
An example of a socio-technical imaginary is that of the metaverse. It is a vision of a fully immersive, interconnected virtual world where people meet, interact, and work. The promotion and public adoption of this vision has resulted in governments and businesses allocating resources to anticipate such a future, and in doing so are contributing to the realization of this future. However, given the great impact a move towards such a future may have, we should be careful to uncritically adopt the ideas of the metaverse as promoted by those with political and economic interests and agenda. Instead, we should find ways to explore alternative futures that may be more in line with our own values and needs.
The purpose of AImaginaries
By creating seemingly fantastical scenarios that break with collectively held visions of the future, the AImaginaries workshops encourage people to envision what they want the future to look like, to realize that our technological future is not set but depends on the choices we make, and to invite people to re-imagine a more just and fair future.
Let's imagine something together
Get in touch
Interested to learn more, organize a workshop with us, participate in the project, or work together?
You can fill out the form or reach us at aimaginaries@eur.nl
For updates, follow us on Instagram @aimaginaries
Request a workshop
You can request a workshop for your organization. Send a mail to aimaginaries@eur.nl
and we'll get in touch.
Practical details
- Group size: max. 15 people per session
- Language: English or Dutch
- Time: 2 hours
- Location: We can come to you, but we can also arrange a space at the Erasmus campus in Rotterdam
- Materials: Bring your own laptop (if this is a problem let us know in time so we can make arrangements)
- Cost: Free