Constructing Design Worlds

Abstract

Since its early days in the 1950’s, design has been one of the main topics of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Starting at the turn of the twentieth century, a paradigm shift has been taking place in the sciences and humanities. This had an impact on design, as well as on AI, albeit an indirect and implicit one. In design, a more human oriented postmodern style started gaining territory, and the focus of the design process shifted from technology more toward the user. From the 1980’s on, user-centered and participatory design has become widely accepted and utilized. Presently, a new AI is emerging that is interested in anthropocentric models. These models are based on new principles, such as situatedness, embodiment, emotions, and social interactions. However, it seems that the paradigm shift has neither been recognized nor acknowledged in design nor in AI. Moreover, there is a lack of explicit and systematic philosophical foundations to provide a general program and directions in design. It is even more so in design-related AI for classical and neo-classical AI still dominate this field. The purpose of this paper is to outline such foundations. First we give a historical background of paradigm shifts in both science and design. We then contrast the positivist and the constructivist paradigms and discuss what they mean for design and AI.