The interfaces between humans and machines shape our perceptions of technology. Current interfaces often present technology as if it operates like magic to ensure a smooth user experience. However, this approach can breed skepticism and distrust, categorizing these interfaces as "Dishonest Interfaces." This project explores what it means to bend open the loops of AI and design interfaces that engage people rather than obscure through oversimplification.

Contemporary technologies of networked computational things and artificial intelligence, as well as the data capitalism they have made possible, differ from the logic of industrial production. Not only that, they fundamentally challenge the conceptual space designers have created to cope with complexity. For instance, with runtime assembly of networked services, constant atomic updates, and agile development processes, the boundary between produc- tion and consumption is almost fully dismantled.

Elisa Giaccardi, Johan Redström, Technology and More-Than-Human Design, DesignIssues: Volume 36, Number 4 Autumn 2020

Deus ex machina

The "Deus ex machina," a figure in Greek theatre lowered by a visible crane to resolve impossible dilemmas, offers a compelling analogy. The crane's visibility allowed the audience to trust the magic without feeling deceived. In design, how much should we "expose the crane" by making the mechanisms behind technology visible, fostering trust and transparency, and enabling users to engage without feeling manipulated?