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grAI matter

Speculative Design
Central Saint Martins
2025

Research

Research spanning theoretical frameworks, speculative fiction, empirical studies, and primary investigations — mapping the themes shaping human-AI relationships.

AI Confessions Box

This project emerged from an experiment at Central Saint Martins that explored how people form intimate relationships with artificial intelligence.

I developed a public installation titled OpenAI Confessions, which invited passersby to anonymously record personal prompts they had previously shared with AI but might hesitate to disclose to friends or family. The responses revealed the forms of intimacy and trust people extend to artificial agents.

A select few confessions:

Venn diagram of themes

This project merges Haraway's cyborg philosophy, research on AI's impact on social cognition, and the politics of masks and wigs.

Concept Development

The brief: design a mask or headpiece that alters the wearer's appearance based on their level of AI dependence, giving physical form to an intangible condition.

First Sketches

First Iteration of Headpiece

The first instinct was an inflatable headpiece that expands in specific areas, producing visible facial deformations.

Face Cover Exploration

Through physical models, mock-ups, and 3D prints, I tested a translucent mask that would complement the inflatable headpiece by obscuring facial features and emphasizing the distortions.

Iteration 02: Facial Actuators

Chosen Design Direction

The headpiece features geometric inflatable panels corresponding to specific brain lobes, each inflating in response to behaviours linked to that cognitive region.

Prototyping

The headpiece

Inflatable Headpiece Casting Tests

Casting the inflatable headpiece required multiple iterations to make it thin enough to inflate smoothly, but thick enough to avoid tearing and maintain a seamless surface.

First Iteration of Headpiece

AI Component

The AI component was SLA 3D-printed in resin for its translucent finish.

SLA-print

Project Outcome

Final model, technical exploded views, components, and user storyboard.

Material Board

Process Overview

The system operates through the AI unit, which captures and analyzes the user's speech to detect codependent or irrational behavior patterns, triggering both physical inflation and digital notifications.

Exploded View

Renders

Final renders and close-ups — headpiece, air pump system, and AI component.

Headpiece Close-Up

Air Pump System

Back

Bottom View of AI Component

Front of AI Component

Overview

Packaging

Branding developed to ground the project in its 2040 setting, drawing on the graphic language of wellness products

Sketched and 3D printed form iterations

First Iteration of Headpiece

Logo Development