The theme of S&S’25, “From Natural Intelligence to Artificial Intelligence in Design,” was inspired by a question posed by the English researcher Nigel Cross in one of his articles on cognition in design:
Can a machine design?
Let me finally turn from understanding how human designers think, from natural intelligence in design to artificial intelligence in design: from how humans think to how machines might think. (CROSS, 1999)
Around this theme, six thematic axes have been defined, which intersect with AI:
The first thematic axis is Design and Technological Challenges. Artificial Intelligence itself is a technological challenge to be understood and effectively used by designers. However, it also brings numerous possibilities for designers to face the challenges intrinsic to the evolution of other technological fields, which, in one way or another, will become part of the everyday experience of ordinary people in the coming years.
The second thematic axis, Design, Culture, and Diversity, was conceived from the perception of the risks and benefits AI can bring to these dimensions for people. The risk of exacerbating cultural impoverishment, perceived in some countries due to poor-quality education, can be offset by the possibilities of accessing cultural experiences, such as collections of collective memories.
The thematic axis Design for Health and Well-being proposes a space for presenting research on how design can use AI to contribute to improving people’s quality of life. Like the others, this axis involves the intersection of multiple disciplines, with the role of design being the humanizer of technological solutions.
The thematic axis Design for Social Innovation and Sustainability brings the proposal to discuss how AI can contribute to the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Issues such as unemployment and job retraining may be addressed by design solutions that were previously unfeasible before the advent of AI. Research in design in this regard could bring a renewal in life expectations for many people.
The thematic axis Design and Entrepreneurship could serve as a platform for the articulation of topics also present in the other thematic axes. The “animal spirit” present in the most visionary designers is the same that drives the minds and hearts of entrepreneurs who have transformed the world through centuries of innovations based on science and technology.
The thematic axis Design and Education provides a space for discussing how AI is beginning to transform education in design and how design can leverage AI to contribute to the improvement of general education.
The Call for Papers has been extended until October 10, 2025
This is the final extension, thus, we encourage all authors to submit their proposals by this deadline.
Authors’ guidelines are available in English, the official language of the conference.
