This advanced workshop explored the intersection of Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing on the balance between human and AI agency. Over two weeks, participants engaged with cutting-edge tools like Aero, Unity and Blender.
The first week introduced AR/AI integration techniques through structured exercises, while the second applied these skills in real-world contexts, leveraging local resources such as hospitals, music schools and construction sites. Participants designed interfaces for AI control handoffs, exploring when and where AI should lead, follow, or collaborate.
The course also addressed ethical considerations, including cognitive atrophy risks and preserving individual creative voice. By the end, participants had developed a critical understanding of AI-driven design, equipping them to create innovative, human-centred AR experiences.
David is an entrepreneur, MIT lecturer, author, and expert on digital product innovation, and ambient computing. He is the author of “Enchanted Objects: Design, Human Desire, and the Internet of Things,” and “SUPERSIGHT: What Augmented Reality means for our lives, our work, and the way we imagine the future.” He holds patents for photo sharing, interactive TV, ambient information displays, connected medical devices and computer vision algorithms.His work has been featured at the MoMA; covered in The New York Times, WIRED, and The Economist. He has been a guest on The Daily Show and parodied on The Colbert Report.
With over 20 years of experience in UX, interaction design, and mixed reality, Ricardo Acosta has worked with industry leaders like Microsoft, the BBC, and award-winning startups. His expertise spans the entire design spectrum—from conceptualisation and prototyping to crafting immersive user experiences in VR and AR.
Ricardo worked at Microsoft, where he contributed to pioneering mixed reality interactions and he played a key role in redefining UI/UX for immersive applications. including projects like Microsoft Maquette, Paint3D and Windows Mixed Reality for Work. He is also the creative force behind Unplugged: Air Guitar, an innovative VR game that won multiple awards, including Best Oculus Quest Game 2021.
Passionate about the intersection of technology and human behaviour, Ricardo specialises in developing intuitive interaction paradigms that push the boundaries of user experience. He has delivered multiple design talks around the world at events and university conferences, sharing his expertise on designing for mixed reality, bridging the gap between creativity and technical execution, and crafting meaningful digital environments.
