Artificial Design Fiction: Using AI as a Material for Pastiche Scenarios

Abstract

This paper considers the use of AI to generate material for design fiction. It takes climate change an example topic and briefly sketches related literature in climate fiction, sustainable HCI and design fiction. ChatGPT and text to image generators are then used to create critical and speculative pastiche scenarios drawing on existing styles and characters. The paper contrasts the AI pastiches with design fictions by academics and novelists. Although unedited AI output is likely to be formulaic it is argued that this material can be shaped into more interesting design fiction through critical prompting.

Topics & Concepts