Weird Metaphors of AI
Join Mixed Initiative and Better Images of AI for an after-work world cafe session, where we explore how metaphors shape our thinking about AI, its power, its limits, and its politics.
Metaphors aren’t just wordplay. They frame how we relate to technology, who we hold responsible when things go wrong, and even what futures we imagine. This session is about questioning the defaults (robots, brains, magic) and co-creating interesting ways of talking about AI, with toys, garlic crushers, and collective insight.
■ What to Expect ■
A quick overview of how metaphors frame public understanding of AI, and why bad ones cause real harm.
A World Café workshop with rotating group conversations, sparked by metaphorical props and open-ended prompts.
Snacks, drinks, and time to chill and connect.
■ What is World Café ■
World Café is a discussion format for groups of 12 or more to explore crafted questions collaboratively. Participants engage in three rounds of small-group conversations (15-20 minutes each), reshuffling groups between rounds. Everyone then gathers to share key insights and themes.
■ What to Prepare ■
Bring one physical object that perfectly (or hilariously) represents “AI” in some unexpected way. It could be a broken mirror, a skewed dice, an uncanny puppet…
A dash of openness and a willingness to get hands-on.
■ Who this is for ■
Designers, technologists, artists, researchers, educators, policy thinkers, or anyone who is curious about AI and visual culture.
No prior expertise needed.
Capacity: 16
Language: English
Suggested price: £5 (The event is free, but a small contribution helps keep the lights and snacks on)
■ Rundown ■
17:45 — 🚪 Doors open. Welcome. Name-tags
18:00 — 🧊 Event intro. Ice-breaker
18:30 — ☕ World Café – three 15-min rounds
19:20 — 💬 Debrief + Social
19:45 — 🧹 Close. Tidy Up
Sign up now to join us for a creative, serendipitous, and intellectually stimulating evening ☀️
■ What is Better Images of AI? ■
Better Images of AI is a project by We and AI that curates and commissions realistic, inclusive, and CC-licensed imagery of AI to shift us away from misleading clichés and sci-fi tropes.
■ What is Mixed Initiative ■
Mixed Initiative is a micro-event series where curious minds gather to experiment, create and reflect on AI. We aim to democratize AI literacy, promote critical discourse, and prototype new ways of being authentically creative with AI.
Cover image created with ChatGPT and remixed with Midjourney and pixlr. Prompt: "3D rendering mixed media collage art of garlic crusher, play doh bottles (no brand name), Rubie's Genie Lamp, kitchen utensils, sparkles, digital glitch and noise, baby, party parrots, plastic chair, toy monkey and toy typewriter, machinery, sewing machine, bingo game lottery machine (bingo ball number is 27)"