Announcement: Critical Futures Talks

The Master in Design for Responsible AI by by Elisava, Barcelona School of Design and Engineering and IAM is organizing Critical Futures Talks,  a new series of hybrid events, interviews, and a podcast featuring a range of eclectic perspectives from faculty, current program participants, and special guests on the intersection of Responsible AI, media, and design in a state of climate emergency.

Critical Futures Talks is co-produced by the Master in Design for Responsible AI Lab, the creative research collective that grew out of the first edition of the program, with support from IAM and Elisava.

The Critical Futures Talks are open to the public, both as free in-person events in Barcelona, at the Aleix Carrió Room in Elisava, and online via livestream. Learn more about the events below and please register if you would like to attend one of the following events (limited space) or access the livestream.

Critical Futures Talks #1:
Xiaowei Wang

Xiaowei R. Wang, PhD, is a California-based artist, writer, organizer, and programmer. She is the author of the book Blockchain Chicken Farm: And Other Stories of Tech In China's Countryside, a selection for the 2023 National Book Foundation Science and Literature Program.

Tuesday, January 31st starting at 7:30 PM CET
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Critical Futures Talks #2:
Nadia Piet

Nadia Piet is an independent designer, researcher and organizer focusing on AI/ML, data, technology, [digital] culture and creativity. She's the founder of AIxDESIGN [a community of practitioners and living lab for AI in pursuit of joy & justice], works as Head of Creative Technology at DEPT [a global digital agency], holds an MA in Data-Driven Design, and continues to explore playful & purposeful tech through freelance projects and self-initiated experiments.

Tuesday, February 27th starting at 7:30 PM CET
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Critical Futures Talks #3:
Caroline Sinders

Caroline Sinders is a machine-learning-design researcher and artist. For the past several years, she has been exploring the intersections of technology's impact on society, interface design, artificial intelligence, abuse, and politics in digital conversational spaces. Sinders is the founder of Convocation Design + Research, an agency focused on the intersections of machine learning, user research, design for public good, and solving difficult communication problems. As a designer and researcher, she has worked with Amnesty International, Intel, IBM Watson, and the Wikimedia Foundation, among others.

Monday, March 4th starting at 7:30 PM CET
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Critical Futures Talks #4:
Simone Rebaudengo

Simone Rebaudengo is a co-founder and Creative Director at oio – a creative company on a quest to turn emerging technologies into an approachable, everyday and sustainable reality for humans and beyond.
His work explores the implications of living and collaborating with other, not-so-human intelligences. He has collaborated with an AI to design a special line of products for Iittala, published a book of fables about more than human futures, created immersive installations about being an appliance with Bruce Sterling, and made a short film that won the Most Uncanny award at the Robot Film Festival.

Thursday, March 14th starting at 7:30 PM CET
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Critical Futures Talks #5:
Filippo Cuttica

Filippo is an artist and designer working between critical speculation and responsible innovation. His work has gained awards and recognition from entities like the Association of Professional Futurists and the Rolex Award for Enterprise. As the Interaction Design Director at LEGO, he explores the future of interactive play. Filippo continues to expand his influence in shaping forward-thinking strategies. As co-founder of the art group IOCOSE, his art critiques techno-centric narratives of the future, highlighting their flaws, with exhibitions in renowned galleries and museums worldwide.

Wednesday, March 20th starting at 7:30 PM CET
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Critical Futures Talks are curated and hosted by Andres Colmenares, director of the Master in Design for Responsible AI. Colmenares is the co-founder of IAM, the creative research lab that helps citizens and organizations anticipate, understand and address the socio-ecological challenges and opportunities arising from the co-evolution of digital technologies and Internet cultures.

Image header credit: Clarote & AI4Media / Better Images of AI / Labour/Resources / CC-BY 4.0