Participatory Experiential Futures: Co-designing technology for human-centered public services

At CivicMakers, we’ve been using Participatory Experiential Futures (PXF) with government partners across the state. Through a series of workshops, we’ve explored whether AI can elevate lived experience in program and policy design. These immersive simulations have given us tons of insights for how government decision-makers would use AI to inform design decisions, and how people accessing public services would want to be represented by these technologies. 

This is where YOU come in…help us design how that technology looks, feels, and behaves by experiencing our “Ridiculously Hopeful Future” of human-centered government in California! A future where the voices of end users have a seat at the table through speculative technology and deeply collaborative co-design processes. 

You will step into a future meeting and test out the new proposals, desired features and critical nuances we’ve gathered. Bring your conscious design skills to reshape better outcomes for public services. And don’t forget to wear your comfiest time travel uniform! 

Event schedule:

• Introductions & Orientation to Time Travel – 15 min
• Immersive Experiential Future (AI for better public services) – 30 min
• Step Back into the Present and Reflect – 15 min
• Co-design Charrette (with insights from civic partners) – 45 min
• Debrief & Next Steps – 15 min

Your participation could improve public service delivery experiences for the people who need them most. We look forward to co-designing with you!