“I'm craving fantasy.” Keep these words in mind Li Edelkoort, spoken during an interview with Dezeen magazine. They are a call to arms, or rather: to the arts. A strong signal, in an era in which artificial intelligence and robotics are redefining the very basis of our life. And U.S? How will we react?
If the future it will be a new private feudalism, robots will be the new slaves of the rich (and perhaps, partly of the "middle class", if there is one). Edelkoort, who with great sensitivity often anticipates major changes, such as the social ones of Covid which caught on from the first days, “sees” the next cultural reaction. In three words? Arts and Crafts.
A neo feudalism, and a neo “Renaissance”
First of all: does Art and Crafts mean anything to you? Small recap: it is an artistic movement born in the second half of the nineteenth century in England. He opposed industrialization and mass production, emphasizing the beauty of craftsmanship and the individuality of the artist. William Morris, an emblematic figure of this movement, advocated a return to manual arts and, for example, to decorations that emphasized the harmony between design and nature.
Well, in apparent (and total) countertrend, for Li Edelkoort our next cultural revolution could pass through a rebirth of this movement. I was the first to be amazed: his prediction in our times, with AI and robotics dominating the technological landscape, sounds paradoxical.
It's Edelkoort, though. And his vision, influenced by his extraordinary career as a trend forecaster, led me to question humanity's role in an increasingly automated future.
Yesterday masters of steam. Today, masters of robots.
AI and robots are, for all intents and purposes, a new form of colonialism. Is it true or not? There are still people on ships that go to deport people to work in the fields (I rephrase: people get on these ships alone). At the same time, there are people who they are grabbing GPUs en masse to act as their workforce passing with brazen ease from the dream of the metaverse to that of artificial intelligence.
You know: throughout history, every technological revolution has brought with it new forms of power and exploitation. For this reason, even the introduction of artificial intelligence into the fabric of modern society raises fundamental ethical questions: who holds control of these technologies? AND how they will affect the distribution of wealth and power?
The era of the amateur
Edelkoort speaks of a future era, which he calls “the era of the amateur”, in which human creativity and craftsmanship will play a central role. In this context, AI technology and robotics will serve not so much (and not only) to replace man, but to free him from the most mechanical and repetitive activities, allowing him to dedicate himself to more creative passions and professions.
Hosts of robots at work to allow us to cultivate arts and crafts: where have I heard this before? Oh. Yes. In my dreams. Because this perspective offers a very optimistic look at how we could reinvent our future, despite the challenges posed by technological advancement.
Arts and influences from the South of the world
Among the predictions of the Belgian expert, a beautiful opening that warms my heart, given my geographical, professional and spiritual residence. Edelkoort also looks at the influences emerging from the south of the world, indeed: to use his words, from the Global South. From the Proud South.
Therefore, there may be a tendency to seek inspiration in cultures, colors and traditions that distance themselves from the "monoculture" of Western design. A turning point in the design industry, but not only. A fire of true diversity and multiculturalism (not the "surrogate" ones administered today), which spreads as a key element of innovation and creativity.
Is it really possible? Moreover. Is critical.
The future is not a foreign land. It is land that must be plowed, sprayed, cultivated with care and attention. And this future, ours, will be shaped by the relationship (dare I say the balance) between technology and human creativity.
Li Edelkoort's vision is a warning against subservience to technology, but also an invitation to imagine a future where arts, cultures and technologies coexist in harmony, leading to a more equitable and creatively stimulating world.
It may sound rhetorical, but let me conclude: robots and artificial intelligence are alternative hardware and software to the human one. “Bad copies” of body and mind. They can and will replace us in many things we know how to do. However, they will not be able to replace us in this which we like to do, in our imaginative desire.
Because the pleasure is ours. No?
