AI in Science Futures

Facilitating a workshop that critically examines AI-futures within science using roleplay and craft methods.

The Workshop

For the opening weekend of the VISTA Science Experience Center in Klosterneuburg, Austria, we developed a playful and creative workshop format that would tap into worldbuilding and roleplay techniques in order to create a low barrier of entry for anyone interested in discussing the use of AI within a scientific Context. The workshop was open for all and unfolded speculative future narratives over a period of 2 hours, engaging all participants in group discussions and hands-on creative exercises.

Context

The VISTA Science Experience Center is located on the campus of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) - a PhD-granting research institution dedicated to cutting-edge research in the physical, mathematical, computer and life sciences. Its main focus is communicating a broad spectrum of scientific work and knowledge to a wide public - situating itself between society and science. For the opening weekend, we were asked to hold a workshop that would critically examine the role of artificial intelligence within the science context.

Defining Technology

In order to break open rigid ideas around AI and science, we used Tarot Archetypes and Imagery as a starting point for ethical, ecological and moral exploration. In a short introduction that got all participants up to speed on the current projections around AI as well as the everyday struggles science is facing, we playfully introduced Tarot as an analog and archaic technology - not too dissimilar to AI and LLMs.

A group of people presenting their poster, holding sheets of paper in front of a projection of the workshop title. — © Niko Havranek | ISTA

With both often being dismissed as mythical, opaque and dangerous as well as drawing on big, general convolutes of knowledge - in AI’s case training data, and in Tarot’s case a collective unconscious as described by Carl Jung - they might be more similar than one would initially think. For the technical insight we based our intro on the AI 2027 Report.

Photo of the workshop participants following the introduction. — © Niko Havranek | ISTA

Stepping Outside of Ourselves

Within the workshop, we introduced participants to very specific narratives that featured scientists, activists and everyday people. These vignettes described a future, in which AI and science were already tightly connected and presented points of friction to be resolved or - at the very least - critically examined. In order to break the ice and take people outside of their everyday assumptions and patterns, each person drew a Tarot Archetype to inspire their positionality on the topic for the duration of the workshop.

Speculative Worlds

These narratives were based on 3 specific “worlds”; AI as a Scientist, Symbiotic Collaborations and Biohacking Chaos. These are also present within the work "AI, as a Scientist" of the permanent exhibition of the VISTA Science Experience Center. Thus, the workshop seamlessly extended from the Visitor Experience.

A presentation slide depicting the 3 world scenarios used in the workshop.

AI as a scientist

AI designs faster than any human solving problems we no longer fully understand.Science advances, but itslogic is hidden in the machine.

How do you stay curious when the answers are unreadable?

Symbiotic Collaboration

AI helps us tune into the hidden complexity of living systems—ecosystems, microbes, entire networks of life. But tools built by humans risk shaping the world in our image.

Can we build with nature, not over it?

Biohacking Chaos

AI tools are everywhere—unlocked, remixed, and reshaped by anyone. Innovation explodes, but so do the risks.

What do you grow in a world without rules?

Crafting new Archetypes

Finally the workshop concluded with participants coming together in groups to collage, sketch and write. Together they crafted new archetypes, symbols and storylines from their scenarios that were thought-provoking and original. Drawing from the initial impulse of Tarot as a tool for reflection, their thoughts, emotions and narratives were captured in the form of new and inventive Tarot cards.

Photograph of two workshop participants holding their tarot-card-poster. — © Niko Havranek | ISTA

Together they crafted a deck of archetypes confronting an uncertain future for scientists and society dealing with the implications of AI systems that are pervasive and highly intelligent.

The participants skillfully wrote, collaged and sketched their storylines together and finally presented them to their fellow AI-stronauts.

Photo of one of the big tarot card posters created during the workshop. This one is titled

Credits

Workshop realised at and for VISTA Science Experience Center Done in collaboration with Stefan Schönauer. Thank you to Lucy Li.