There is a lot of focus on making technology more autonomous, e.g. through AI and robotics. It promises breakthroughs in nearly all aspects of life, from safety, healthcare, digital technologies, transport, and daily conveniences to warfare.
But what happens to human autonomy and how to enhance it through design? That is the focus of Design for Values annual theme of 2024-2025.
Our Focus
The drive for autonomous technology spans from workplaces to personal lives, promising breakthroughs in safety, healthcare, and daily conveniences. But this raises a crucial question: What happens to human autonomy?
Historically seen as a tool to enhance our freedom, today’s technology risks undermining human control and agency. Our annual theme seeks to shift focus by drawing attention to the importance of designing for human autonomy.
We will explore how technology can be designed to protect, support, and enhance human autonomy through a multidisciplinary approach, addressing both existential risks like manipulation by AI and wonderful opportunities, like technology that helps us overcome our shortcomings and live a fulfilling life.
Key Questions We Explore
- How can we design AI systems that enhance rather than undermine human decision-making?
- What role should humans play in increasingly automated systems?
- How do we balance the benefits of autonomous technology with preserving human agency?
- What does meaningful human control look like in the age of AI?
- How can design support human flourishing and self-determination?
Kick-off Panel Discussion
TU Delft researchers exploring different perspectives on human autonomy and technology:
Michael Klenk
Assistant Professor of Philosophy
Víctor Muñoz Sanz
Assistant Professor of Urban Design
Kars Alfrink
Postdoctoral researcher on Contestable AI
Pradeep Kumar Murukannaiah
Assistant Professor in Interactive Intelligence
Working Group Design for Human Autonomy
The theme year is steered by a working group consisting of members from various faculties across TU Delft.
Catholijn Jonker
Full Professor, Member
Michael Klenk
Assistant Professor, Member
Serge Paul Hoogendoorn
Full Professor, Member
Tilman Dingler
Associate Professor, Member
Víctor Muñoz Sanz
Assistant Professor, Member
Get Involved
Are you interested in contributing to our discussions on Design for Human Autonomy? We welcome participation from researchers, students, and practitioners.