Conference: Design for Human Autonomy with Cass Sunstein and Suzie Kewal

On the 18th of June 2025, the Conference: Design for Human Autonomy took place. This was a very exciting day where researchers from diverse fields, professionals and students came together to share knowledge and expertise on this important topic. The institute was honored to receive Cass Sunstein for a keynote.

The day was moderated and hosted by Dr. Michael Klenk, Assistant Professor of Practical Philosophy at the TU Delft Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management. Klenk has been instrumental throughout the annual theme as scientific lead in his role of MT-member of the Delft Design for Values Institute.

The second keynote of the day was of Jasper Kars (Ministry of the Interior & Utrecht University, Senior Policy Officer Data and AI & PhD Candidate AI & Democracy), prepared together with Suzie Kewal (Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations Department Head of AI, Algorithms, Data and Digital Inclusivity). This talk gave wonderful insights what the government is doing to safeguard human autonomy in the age of digital governmental services.

This day also marked the publication of the White Paper: Design for Human Autonomy, which brought together TU Delft researchers from different fields. Edited by Dr. ir. Udo Pesch, the white paper starts with a theoretical foundation and then explores how we can actually design technologies for our own human autonomy in different application domains (AI, robotics, spatial design).

For students, the finale of the Student Thesis Awards was a highlight. After three pitches from masters students of TU Delft, which all showed very good research results, the jury announced that Bram Terwogt has written the best thesis on Design for Human Autonomy.

Last but not least, during the day four workshops and one additional lecture took place, which really sparked interesting discussions. Thanks to all participants for engaging very lively at the conference.

Photo impression of the Conference

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Photo’s by Annelies van’t Hul Fotografie 

Workshop subjects 

[iee_expanding_sections title=”Homo Technologicus: Designing for Autonomy in the Attention Economy” description=”Tilman Dingler and Alice Vitali” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” element_typography=”custom” typography_title=”Open Sans:regular” title_font_size=”28″ typography_description=”Open Sans:300″ description_font_size=”18″ heading_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” background_color_1=”” background_color_2=”” gradient_direction=”0deg” background_color_content=””]

Smart Devices and their applications shape where we go, what we buy, who we date, and how we think. Is your favorite book your favorite, or the result of a recommendation engine fine-tuned to your data trail? When you fall into a 45-minute scroll session, was it boredom or behavioral engineering? This workshop explores the hidden mechanics of digital influence and the ways our autonomy is compromised by persuasive design. Drawing on research at IDE into reducing unhealthy smartphone habits, including doomscrolling and compulsive social media use, participants will be invited to rethink what empowerment looks like in the age of Homo Technologicus.

[/iee_expanding_sections][iee_expanding_sections title=”Designing for whose autonomy? Digital tools for inclusion and accessibility” description=”Taylor Stone, Helma Dokkum, Helma Torkamaan and Himanshu Verma” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” element_typography=”custom” typography_title=”Open Sans:regular” title_font_size=”28″ typography_description=”Open Sans:300″ description_font_size=”18″ heading_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” background_color_1=”” background_color_2=”” gradient_direction=”0deg” background_color_content=””]

Whose voices and needs are present in the design and implementation of digital tools for human autonomy, and whose are overlooked? Are our digital tools addressing social disparities and unintended consequences, or furthering social divides? What is being done to surface these concerns and design systems and artifacts that are truly inclusive to a full range of persons and lived experiences? Put otherwise: who are we designing for? This workshop will focus on how assistive digital technologies can be designed in a value-sensitive way to foster the autonomy of under-represented or vulnerable segments of the population. This will centre around the development of an app designed to foster access and inclusion for persons requiring (different types of) visual assistance. Through an interactive co-creation workshop, we will jointly explore how questions of autonomy can be reframed toward if, and how, we are improving the lives of people whose autonomy is at risk by how we design our physical and digital environments.

[/iee_expanding_sections][iee_expanding_sections title=”The emergence of AI therapy and companion chatbots: risks to autonomy” description=”Caroline Figeuroa ” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” element_typography=”custom” typography_title=”Open Sans:regular” title_font_size=”28″ typography_description=”Open Sans:300″ description_font_size=”18″ heading_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” background_color_1=”” background_color_2=”” gradient_direction=”0deg” background_color_content=””]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds great promise for delivering accessible and personalized mental health care. A rising number of mental healthcare interventions are incorporating AI into mental health support, for example as therapy chatbots. For example, a recent study found that a generative AI chatbot reduced clinically significant symptoms of depression and anxiety, which could be a pivotal moment in the integration of AI into mental health care. At the same time, general-purpose AI platforms, such as ‘companion chatbots’, are being used to explore or express mental health concerns, regardless of whether they were designed for this purpose.

[/iee_expanding_sections][iee_expanding_sections title=”Deep-dive in White Paper: Design for Human Autonomy” description=”Udo Pesch” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” element_typography=”custom” typography_title=”Open Sans:regular” title_font_size=”28″ typography_description=”Open Sans:300″ description_font_size=”18″ heading_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” background_color_1=”” background_color_2=”” gradient_direction=”0deg” background_color_content=”” element_content_placeholder=”

This deep dive workshop marks the launch of the completed white paper Designing for Human Autonomy, bringing together contributors, researchers, and practitioners across disciplines to reflect on its insights and implications. Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, the workshop creates space for dialogue between ethicists, designers, engineers, and practitioners to explore how human autonomy can be meaningfully integrated into diverse design contexts. Participants will engage with the paper’s findings, share perspectives from their own domains, and co-develop ideas for future research and practice. The session aims to spark ongoing collaboration and expand the community committed to designing ethically and inclusively for autonomy.

Dr.ir. Udo Pesch, as editor of the White Paper will guide the session.

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This deep dive workshop marks the launch of the completed white paper Designing for Human Autonomy, bringing together contributors, researchers, and practitioners across disciplines to reflect on its insights and implications. Emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, the workshop creates space for dialogue between ethicists, designers, engineers, and practitioners  to explore how human autonomy can be meaningfully integrated into diverse design contexts. Participants will engage with the paper’s findings, share perspectives from their own domains, and co-develop ideas for future research and practice. The session aims to spark ongoing collaboration and expand the community committed to designing ethically and inclusively for autonomy.

Dr.ir. Udo Pesch, as editor of the White Paper will guide the session.

[/iee_expanding_sections][iee_expanding_sections title=” Lecture: Who’s in Charge Here? Exploring Human Autonomy in AI-Assisted Focused Work” description=”Dinara Talypova” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” element_typography=”custom” typography_title=”Open Sans:regular” title_font_size=”28″ typography_description=”Open Sans:300″ description_font_size=”18″ heading_color=”” hue=”” saturation=”” lightness=”” alpha=”” background_color_1=”” background_color_2=”” gradient_direction=”0deg” background_color_content=””]

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