Saige
Design a way for a person to pass as a generative AI in an everyday setting.
Generative AI is becoming more and more prevalent in our lives, and mostly, the concern is what happens when we can't tell the difference between human and AI, when we're expecting a human.
But what happens when its the other way around?
Research Method 1: Bodystorming
Bodystorming is a fun, engaging way to get off the paper and into the physical space. Using props and creating mini-scenarios allows us to explore the boundaries of the concept, without getting too bogged-down in the finer details.
We learned that there is a line where AI starts to sound more human, but too human: when it becomes overfamiliar, suddenly, we're not keen on AI any more.
Research Method 2: Street Survey
I love getting real people's responses. While Granary Square, London, is only going to gather a small demographic, it gives opportunity to ask follow up questions, and to ask important questions about their answers - like why?
You'll see from the pictures we did try offering a snack to encourage participation - surprisingly, it really wasn't necessary.
Research Method 3: Workshop
Alongside two colleagues, I hosted a workshop focussed on our research into generative AI and current perceptions of this tech.
Activity 1: Listening Activity
We played 14no. clips to the participants and asked them to note whether they sounded like AI, Human or they weren't sure.
The purpose of this activity was to understand what voices and phrases would more likely be accepted as AI, and how believable AI voices might be. There was a fair amount on ambiguity or guessing, and a notable amount of AI being presumed to be human. The key findings were:
Activity 2: Storyboard Exercise
Participants were asked to think about where AI exists in their lives and where they could envisage it becoming involved in our lives in the future. This helped situate the 'everyday settings' in AI might be more believable. Image 2 shows the ideas discussed.
Activity 3: Scenario Exercise
In a group of three, participants were either assigned as a human, rehearsing to go on a date; or acting in collaboration to give AI-like answers. Participants acting as AI were given a 'cheat sheet' on AI characteristics to assist with their answers, which was derived from all the previous research.
Responses to the workshop can be seen below.
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42% Average accurate guesses for either human or AI
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26% Average instances where people couldn't make a decision
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48% Instances where AI was identified as human
Design and Play
Engaging in playful sketching and creating physical prototypes has proven to be a valuable approach in my design ideation process, especially when faced with abstract design briefs. Embracing a playful mindset encourages me to explore creative and unconventional avenues, providing a liberating space for my ideas to flow freely.
Sketching is a quick and low-pressure method for me to visually communicate concepts while crafting physical prototypes offers a tangible, hands-on experience that goes beyond traditional sketches.
This hands-on approach allows me to discover unforeseen possibilities and facilitates the development of innovative solutions. By infusing playfulness into my design process, I break away from conventional constraints, fostering an open-minded and experimental mindset.
Outcome
Have you ever been nervous about asking a roommate to move out? Or to ask someone out for a drink? Maybe, you need to have a conversation with your parents, about their health.
What if you could practice this conversation, with a calibrated digital assistance, before the real thing? You'd get the chance to figure out the words you want to say, check how it might be perceived, before the real-life conversation.
Meet sAIge, your home assistance for difficult conversations. Powered by generative AI and calibrated to your personal situation, you can test out things you're too afraid to say,