Hi and welcome to the presentation of Poetics of Future Work: Blending Speculative Design with Artistic Methodology.
A case-study written by Nina Bozic Yams and Álvaro Aranda Muñoz.
The case-study representing was a one year research project where an interdisciplinary group of researchers
together with a group of participants from industry and public sector explored different aspects of the future of work.
The key project goal was to develop an innovative methodology that would empower employees
with no technical backgrounds to be part of co-creating possible futures.
When designing the methodology we combined ideas from speculative design with artistic practices and methods
As you can see in the image the one year process was divided into three cycles.
Each cycle had a topic in focus. For example, cycle one was dedicated to unboxing AI for employees.
Each cycle included labs in which two days were dedicated to explore relevant questions
related to the future of work and co-creation of speculative fictions around prioritised questions.
After the labs, there were workshops that aimed at transfering and contextualising the knowledge from the lab
into the partnering organisations.
At the end of the cycles, there were public events where knowledge created in the project was shared with a larger audience.
Different forms were explored on how to engage the audience.
An example were songs speculating about the future of work.
You will now listen to one of the songs meanwhile you will see images from the labs, workshops and events.
The song was written and performed by artist Dragana Zarevska.
Song starts playing softly in the background.
Now you will listen to a short version of one of the speculative fictions created in the labs:
Title: Priscilla awoken from cryogenesis.
Hi Priscillia. It is 2069. The year in which the government has started a new iniciative called
what does it mean to be human?
Humans have evolved their capabilities thanks to new technology, gadgets and implants,
which has made an impact on their way of thinking and acting.
Now most of the decisions are based on data and facts.
In an attempt to recuperate the feelings and emotions that a human being can carry
the government decides to wake people up that went into cryogenesis fifty years ago.
Priscilla is the first person to wake up. Her mission is to bring the human aspect into life again.
She is awaken and introduced to the new reality. Nobody, not even her grandson seems to be willing to give or
receive a hug. Hugging and physical contact is out of fashion.
But soon, after her getting to know the new world she would be appointed as an emotional strategist
for a big company. Training employees to implement soft skills and caring.
Maybe there will be a time when hugs will be popular again after all.
Special thanks to all participants.