coexist | chapter 4
AI is a Mirror of Ourselves, Embracing Relationships | On Transdisciplinarity |
Welcome to another installment of coexist a space dedicated to reflecting upon and interpreting the interplay between design, technology, humanity, and ethics.
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Hola, dear readers. It's been a while since my last chapter – nearly nine months without putting pen to paper. During this time, significant developments have unfolded. While I paused my writing, introspection and contemplation remained steadfast. Thank you for joining me again.
In the previous chapter (Chapter 3), "The vast word Ethics," I delved into the intersection of technology, data, design, and ethics. I explored essential definitions and processes related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) outputs, along with instances of both unintentional and deliberate discrimination enabled by technological experiences. I reflected into the concepts of Ethics, Technoethics, and Design Justice, aiming to uncover the various frameworks, definitions, and processes designers can embrace to create equitable products, services, interactions, and experiences. For those who missed it, you can revisit Chapter 3 here
Premise
Currently, we are living in an interesting and complex era. We have access to new opportunities thanks to technological advancements, but paradoxically, we are also experiencing exponential harm. Technological systems reflect the values, beliefs, and biases of the humans who create and use them. AI acts as a mirror of ourselves, revealing the truths we are currently experiencing about ourselves as individuals and as a society. It is also a call to action for responsibility, accountability, reflection, and action. AI systems reflect the values, beliefs, and biases of the humans who create and use them; They are influenced by the data they are trained on, the algorithms they use, the goals they pursue, and the contexts they operate in. All of these factors are shaped by human choices and judgments, which may be explicit or implicit, conscious or unconscious, intentional or unintentional. Therefore, AI systems can reveal something about ourselves, both individually and collectively.
Instead, -Design is something far more pervasive and profound than what is generally recognized by designers, cultural theorists, philosophers, or lay persons. Designing is fundamental to being human (Anne-Marie Willis, 2006)-. How can designers seek coexistence between humans, algorithms, and other entities on the planet? How can designers understand technological concepts and definitions and acknowledge a new responsibility to pursue ethical principles and justice in the development of experiences, interactions, products, and services?
Welcome to coexist | chapter 4:
AI is a Mirror of Ourselves, Embracing Relationships.
-AI is a Mirror of Ourselves, Embracing Relationships- will explore Transdisciplinarity as one of the key principles when designing ethical-technological-digital experiences, interactions, services, and products; secondly we are going to explore the enormous value of Cross-Communitiy Intelligence and exchange and finally; I’m going to deep dive of the different kind of Relationships that can emerge between Humans and Machines. Those subjects are going to be divided in three different chapters. The first one is called:
AI is a Mirror of Ourselves, Embracing Relationships.
| On Transdisciplinarity |
So, what exactly is Transdisciplinarity?
Transdisciplinarity embodies a bold research strategy that crosses the boundaries of different disciplines, aiming for a comprehensive and holistic approach. Its purpose is to address research challenges that span multiple fields, often two or more disciplines.
In the world of transdisciplinarity, the acknowledgment of complex problems and diverse perspectives takes center stage. This involves bridging the gap between abstract and specific knowledge and nurturing practices that promote collective well-being.
The heart of transdisciplinarity comes alive when experts, both scientific and non-scientific, with their unique viewpoints, engage in open dialogue. However, this convergence is not without its challenges. The intricate nature of information and the distinct languages used in specialized fields can be significant obstacles. Overcoming these obstacles requires not only a deep understanding of different disciplines but also skills in moderation, mediation, association, and the seamless transfer of knowledge.
For transdisciplinarity to thrive, it demands a comprehensive approach to tackle the complexity of problems and an acknowledgement of the diverse ways these problems are perceived. This entails connecting abstract concepts with specific details and nurturing practices that drive collective progress.
At its core, transdisciplinarity represents a paradigm that goes beyond the confines of traditional disciplines. It embarks on a collaborative journey, intertwining knowledge, methodologies, and viewpoints from diverse fields. This collective effort harnesses the expertise from various domains to address real-world challenges that resist solutions from a single discipline.
At a fundamental level, transdisciplinarity serves as a conduit for understanding the interconnected dynamics that permeate multiple layers of reality. Drawing from various disciplinary research, it enriches existing knowledge, revealing a harmonious coexistence between disciplinary and transdisciplinary research. This harmony mirrors the synergistic relationships between disciplinarity, multidisciplinarity, and interdisciplinarity.
I would like to share with you a couple of cases that -in my opinion- materialize a transdisciplinary approach. The first case regards Neri Oxman, an American-Israeli designer and professor at the MIT Media Lab, where she founded and directs the Mediated Matter research group. She is known for art and architecture that combine design, biology, computing, and materials engineering. The second case regards Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA) is a renowned art academy located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. WdKA is known for its innovative and transdisciplinary approach to art education. The academy emphasizes experimentation, creativity, and critical thinking, aiming to prepare students for successful careers in the fields of fine art, design, media, and related industries.
Neri Oxman
Oxman's philosophy centers on the intrinsic connection between nature and technology, evident in her work through the seamless integration of biological principles and advanced fabrication techniques. Drawing inspiration from the efficiency of natural systems, she translates these insights into innovative design solutions spanning various scales.
Oxman's approach also emphasizes sensitivity to the environmental impact of design and production processes. Her commitment to sustainable practices, combined with cutting-edge technologies, gives rise to projects that push the boundaries of creativity and advocate for harmony between human ingenuity and the natural world.
At the heart of Neri Oxman's approach lies a dedication to challenging norms, preconceptions, and fostering discourse across disparate disciplines. Her work showcases the transformative potential of collaboration between art, science, and technology—a testament to the limitless possibilities when creativity knows no bounds.
Oxman’s Krebs Cycle of Creativity:
Oxman articulates her goal: "to establish a tentative yet holistic mapping of the interrelation between these domains, where one realm can trigger (r)evolution in another; and where a single individual or project can reside in multiple dominions." She envisions various interpretations of the graphic: as a clock, a microscope, a compass, a gyroscope. Regardless of interpretation, the fluid movement from one realm to another generates creative energy, akin to chemical energy in living cells.
“Science generates knowledge used by engineers. Engineering produces utility for designers. Designers induce behavioral changes perceived by artists. Art yields fresh perceptions of the world, granting access to new information and inspiring scientific inquiry”. For a comprehensive exploration of Oxman's Krebs Cycle of Creativity, visit this link.
From Art to Science: A Cinderella Moment by Oxman
“Some argue, perhaps whimsically, that the transition from Art to Science is ambitious at best and contrived at worst. Picasso and Einstein, despite the myth of an impromptu meeting in 1904 at Montmartre’s Le Lapin Agile, didn't directly interact. However, the significance lies beyond this. Both questioned the relationship between space and time, speculating on their profound connection. They epitomized Modernism, coexisting in an era that examined the culture of nature and the nature of culture. While my determination to assert the continuity of the KCC may be seen as naive, please suspend disbelief. Through faith, we leap, converting potential energy to kinetic energy—a true force multiplier”. (Oxman: Age of Entanglement essay)
Why Neri Oxman's Approach is inspiring?
Oxman's reflections offer a unique perspective, promoting a Transdisciplinary approach by illustrating the interconnectedness of fields and the need for communication among them. Each field plays a crucial role in her holistic creative process. Provocatively, she prompts us to question the coexistence of these disciplines, shedding light on the complexity of context. This synthesis aids in framing problems, designing effectively, and creating a far-reaching impact across outputs, stakeholders, and entities.
Oxman introduces an approach that fosters transdisciplinary collaboration, exemplifying the potential of merging knowledge and perspectives. Her philosophy serves as a model for embracing diverse fields, enhancing creativity, and addressing multifaceted challenges. By emphasizing connections and encouraging dialogue, she underscores the significance of collaborative effort in transcending disciplinary boundaries.
Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA)
Recently, I had the privilege of visiting WdKA in Rotterdam, guided by Aldge Van Meer, a Thinkerer at The Willem de Kooning Academy (WdKA). Our engaging discussion covered the school's profile and its core principles: Transdisciplinary Learning, fostering an environment where students from diverse backgrounds collaborate to explore innovative perspectives and approaches to creative challenges. Critical Thinking encourages students to question norms and conventions, exploring unconventional solutions. Additionally, Practice-Based Education involves hands-on learning through projects, workshops, and real-world assignments, developing practical skills and tangible outcomes.
The Academy firmly believes that art and design research spawn new knowledge and practices, acting as a catalyst for innovation and social transformation. Their research profile combines critical and speculative thinking, theoretical inquiry, and hands-on experimentation.
WdKA's research domain is built on three core areas, granting students autonomy to choose their academic path:
Autonomous Practices: Artists, designers, and educators focus on self-organized projects spanning social, political, economic, and poetic dimensions. This necessitates continuous negotiation and rigorous critical inquiry. If you want to deep dive on this dimension click here.
Social Practices: Art, design, and pedagogy engage with societal issues, reimagining processes and interactions, prioritizing dialogical engagement. If you want to deep dive on this dimension click here.
Commercial Practices: Aligned with our evolving economy shaped by technology, designers and artists contribute to businesses seeking economic value, untapped markets, and sustainable, impactful designs and services. If you want to deep dive on this dimension click here.
These research domains operate within a new framework called The Stations, dynamic laboratories allowing students to explore ideas and transform them into functioning creations.
The Stations foster transdisciplinary collaboration, enabling students from various fields to prototype, experiment, and refine ideas. The Stations encompass diverse areas, including Interaction, Image & Sound, Publication, Material, Fabric, Drawing, Research, Education, BlueCityLab, and Business.
The Stations conduct research across technology, art, and design, critically assessing the integration of emerging technologies. This aligns with the academy's hands-on learning approach and encourages informed technology decisions.
Why WdKA’s approach is Inspiring?
The academy's established approach holds significant promise for the future. WdKA recognizes the necessity of uniting diverse disciplines to navigate today's complexities effectively. Emphasizing collaboration, design, and building across subjects reflects their forward-thinking outlook. The creation of The Stations, equipped with hardware, software, and machinery. The result is an exciting fusion of elements, artifacts, and knowledge. Crucially, a focus on critical thinking as a foundational principle propels students to delve into the 'why' of their pursuits, fueling purpose and enhancing the transformative potential of their journey. It was beautiful to be there.
Reflections on both cases
I perceive Oxman's proposition as akin to a zoomed-out view of a transdisciplinary environment. It appears to encapsulate an essential fusion of knowledge, revealing not only the process of its occurrence but also the reasons behind their symbiotic coexistence. When we zoom in, we encounter WdKA, where the beauty happens. Here, the heart of transdisciplinary vision takes shape, as knowledge and building intersect to generate impactful solutions.
Let’s come back to us
As designers, this concept might feel familiar. Over the last decades, we've embraced this idea guided by design thinking. It teaches us that creating value means blending different elements like design, psychology, engineering, and business. During this time, we've become connectors, bridging gaps between various fields to shape new experiences, services, products, and interactions. It's crucial for designers to have a holistic view of the whole project, bringing together different stakeholders and guiding discussions towards shared goals. As catalysts, we merge concepts, knowledge, and terms within design frameworks. But this is still about one discipline working with others. I'm curious about achieving a smooth fusion of knowledge and actors.
"Me plus Others" shouldn't be the formula; the formula should be "WE." But how can we reach that when we often work in separate knowledge silos? How can we truly contribute to others?
As a Designer, I'm ready to embark on co-creating a framework (Yes, I'll take that step). But this action alone isn't sufficient. What's become clear in this research journey is the need to break down barriers between disciplines. But how do we do it? It's like we need a starting point, a space where all actors converge. We must learn each other's language, creating a common one that enables the development of new approaches, methods, tools, and even spaceships (joke hehe). It's about stepping back, uniting efforts, pooling purposes, understanding one another, and then, and only then, initiating creation. This sentiment might seem slightly romantic. It's not an easy path—language and dialogue are essential. We can achieve it collectively, and while it poses challenges, Oxman and WdKA unveil diverse dimensions of how this grand endeavor can be realized.
Thank you for reading me and see you the next chapter AI is a mirror of ourselves, Embracing Relationships - On Cross Community Intelligence -
Marihum
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