AI Design Competence

The concept

More ethically responsible and sustainable AI design innovation is possible – establishing AI design competence in the domains is key.

As mentioned before, algorithmic innovation leads to qualitative and quantitative altered design competencies and demand for these. To be able to design more sustainably and ethically more digital competencies especially AI design competence is needed.
The core of the AI design competence concept is a perspective, which holistically integrates both the competencies and embedded knowledge of the algorithmic system (AI) and the competencies and knowledge of individuals/humans (in the respective domains or arenas).
AI design competence enables humans to assess, imagine, and evaluate the results and consequences of their handling in the context of there interaction with AI applications and the consequences for design.

Supplement Definition

Design Competence for algorithmic innovation and designing and using Artificial Intelligence touches on:

• the creative dimension of design (DESIGN AS CREATION OF ARTEFACTS), DESIGN AS A PROBLEM- SOLVING ACTIVITY),
• the shaping dimension of design (DESIGN AS A REFLEXIVE PRACTICE) and
• the applicative dimension of design (DESIGN AS MAKING SENSE OF THINGS/DESIGN AS A KEY INPUT TO STRATEGY)
  (The importance of design for firms׳ competitiveness: A review of the literature. / D’Ippolito, Beatrice. In: Technovation, Vol. 34, No. 11, 11.2014, p. 716-730).

In this way, with the competence and the ability, we refer to the competence to foster the creation, development and management of products/artefacts (real, haptic products based on AI in their design but also AI tools, engines, AI applications, forms of databases and other ‘digital artefacts’).

We in the collective also refer to the problem-solving aspects with design competence. Looking at problems from different views, countering cognitive biases is an important facet of (AI) design competence.
But it is also about design to shape processes, that is, we also refer to the capability and the know-how of second-order reflections on the development and use of Artificial Intelligence and algorithmic innovation.
Last but not least, the (AI) design competence also refers to the applicative dimension of design, that is that we make sense of the algorithms and effects of algorithmic innovation (on products, people, emotions (affective computing)) and we also refer to applying algorithmic innovation strategically.

With this holistic approach, more ethically responsible and sustainable developments and solutions in the field of AI design innovation are assured.

The concept of AI design competence is based on the following questions:

How do you design now or in the future with the help of AI?

Which biases need to be considered?

Which competencies and which (secured) knowledge are stored in the AI (the technical system) and made available to the user?

What competencies does the individual (the designer) need to have, use and incorporate to efficiently design with the AI?

How are the interaction and the agency of the user safeguarded?