Pioneering a new era: designers at the crossroads of design and AI

The rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has sparked public interest and widespread discussions regarding its integration into society. However, despite the rapid advancements in AI and the emerging opportunities for innovation in design, there is still a lack of understanding about how designers perceive and incorporate AI tools into their design workflows. This research aims to capture the moment when AI and design intersect and to gain a better understanding of how designers can effectively use these new tools to enhance their work. Through a comprehensive study, including a survey (n=49), focus groups (n=6), and interviews (n=6), this research explores this shift in designers' identity and workflow. Investigating designers' attitudes towards AI, their acceptance and use of AI in their design processes, and AI's impact on their creativity. The research found that designers perceive several benefits in adapting AI in their design projects, including enhanced creativity, improved efficiency, and the ability to automate tedious tasks. However, several participants expressed unease about integrating AI into areas that are considered deeply human, such as art. Despite these concerns, AI tools are already extensively employed in design, and AI is increasingly being depicted as a collaborator. Based on the research findings, it is imperative to incorporate more participatory measures in order to establish ethical guidelines and increase transparency in the use of AI in design. This research aims to bridge the knowledge gap regarding how designers perceive and incorporate AI into their workflows, offering insights into the evolving relationship between AI and design innovation

Renegotiating Work-Home Boundaries: Reconciliations of Remote Work and School During COVID-19

This article contributes to understanding the radical transformation of everyday lives when parents’ remote work and children’s remote school were reconciled in homes during the early moments of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The dataset comprises an online survey (n = 92) plus interviews, online diaries, and sampled experiences from 16 Finnish remotely working parents. Identified challenges to the parents’ remote work included interruptions and fragmentation of work tasks, non-optimal work ergonomics, and rescheduling of work times. We present the strategies parents used to create new rhythms and routines, a shared space under the same roof, peace, and privacy for daily work and school, as well as managing multiple simultaneous social roles. Parents’ rich experiences provide insights into the early steps of COVID-19-catalyzed remote work. Thus, the paper offers a reference point for exploring potential development trajectories in the increasingly common hybrid work setting

When Only Guilt Remains – Kun jäljelle jää vain syyllisyys

Suljen silmäni, jotten näe kuinka toinen kuihtuu pois. Joka vuosi 14 500 ihmistä sairastuu muistisairauteen. Kuinka kadonneen puhelimen ja hukkuneen pankkikortin etsinnän kaltaiset arjen hetket voivat paljastaa syvemmät tunteet ja pelon siitä, että olenko minä seuraava? Miten voin auttaa toista, kun en tunnista häntä, ja miten hyväksymme surun, jota seuraa syyllisyys?When Only Guilt Remains – Kun jäljelle jää vain syyllisyys tarkastelee taiteilijan prosessia hyväksyä surun ja katumuksen hetket, joita ohjaavat päiväkirjamerkinnät, runot ja muistot. Teokset kertovat tarinaa menetyksestä, rakkaudesta ja yhteydestä sairauden varjossa

Quadrupedal Robot Dog as an Attraction in a Local Outdoor Event for Live Streaming and Engagement

In this workshop paper, we share a case of using a quadrupedal robot dog to live stream a local outdoor event and how it was received by the public. In this impromptu exploratory work, we discuss the technical set-up, as well as the novelty factor, when interacting with robots in public. We share insights on people reacting to the robot mostly positively and what kind of role robots could play in the future in order to engage people at organized events. In the future, we would like to explore robots in other public settings and contexts, such as hybrid events.In this workshop paper, we share a case of using a quadrupedal robot dog to live stream a local outdoor event and how it was received by the public. In this impromptu exploratory work, we discuss the technical set-up, as well as the novelty factor, when interacting with robots in public. We share insights on people reacting to the robot mostly positively and what kind of role robots could play in the future in order to engage people at organized events. In the future, we would like to explore robots in other public settings and contexts, such as hybrid events

Exploring Tangible Explainable AI (TangXAI):A User Study of Two XAI Approaches

Explainable AI (XAI) has garnered significant attention as a theoretical subject in the research community. However, the practical application of XAI, particularly in the realm of user interfaces, remains limited. Moreover, evaluations of these interfaces from the perspective of end-users are scarce. In this paper, we introduce and evaluate two innovative tangible XAI interface concepts. The tangible interfaces capitalize on the widely recognized advantages of data physicalization, offering users a more intuitive and hands-on experience. We implemented two distinct XAI approaches within this tangible framework: feature relevance and local explanations. These approaches were applied to real-world use cases: recommending recipes and selecting jogging routes, respectively. The findings of our Wizard of Oz study indicate that participants had some challenges in distinguishing between the primary objectives of the XAI interface and the typical interactions associated with an AI recommender system. However, tangibility seems to support users’ understanding of AI’s explanations and enables users to reflect on their trust in the AI model