Exploring New Frontiers: GenAI and Tangible Interfaces
Technology has revolutionized the way we interact with information, but have we truly explored all its positive applications? In this first installment of our blog series, we delve into the world of Generative AI and its potential to broaden students’ perspectives by prompting them to consider different viewpoints.
Generative AI (GenAI) has transformed the landscape of human-computer interaction, making complex AI models accessible to millions of users. By prompting the AI with different tones and perspectives, users can navigate a vast sea of knowledge and communication effortlessly.
Traditionally, designing interfaces involved mapping out features and elements for users to interact with. However, GenAI introduced a novel approach where users can communicate naturally with the system, shaping their queries and responses through language, code, or images.
One of the key insights we’ve discovered is how the tone of a prompt influences the AI’s response. By setting the tone to skeptical or confident, users can elicit vastly different answers, shedding light on the importance of framing questions effectively.
Imagine a tangible interface that empowers users to explore different perspectives on a question. Picture a simple sponge with faces representing curiosity, thoughtfulness, skepticism, and confidence. By presenting these faces to a camera, users can guide the GenAI to respond in alignment with the chosen perspective.
This innovative approach not only enhances user engagement but also fosters critical thinking and empathy by encouraging users to consider multiple viewpoints. By leveraging the power of affective faces and tangible interfaces, we can revolutionize the way we interact with AI systems.
As we continue to explore the potential of GenAI and tangible interfaces, we invite you to join us on this journey of discovery. Stay tuned for more insights, scenarios, and possibilities in our upcoming blogs!
Ted Selker is a visionary computer scientist passionate about human-computer interaction.
Berry Billingsley is an educator dedicated to exploring philosophical questions and enhancing learning experiences.