Designing For Intelligence: Intelligence For Designing

Intelligent technology is increasingly entangled in every aspect of our lives. As the designers/builders of these technologies, we wield considerable power, as is rightly being publicly scrutinized in recent debates around biased algorithms and (mis)use of social media data. Designing for intelligence is not just designing technology per se but designing ways of being human and negotiating complex choices. To do this well, engineering and design skills are not enough. We need better social, emotional, and existential intelligences to be critically reflective and empathic practitioners, able to negotiate contended values, engage with diverse user groups and stakeholders, and bring a values-based ethical lens to the choices we make.