Augmented Co-creation: Using Artificial Intelligence and Neural Network Algorithms to Support Design Collaboration

This paper describes an exploratory research project and resulting prototype that incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the creation of a service portal. Designed by an interdisciplinary group, the service portal’s software engine and user interface connects organizations in the area of social good seeking technological assistance to individuals and groups with computer-technological expertise. The portal’s UI is an augmented digital touch point using natural language, computationally augmented person-to-person exchanges, and an online interface to give social sector organizations access to services that will help them grow. It is conceived to create a unique co-creation experience, matching volunteers and organizations through a process akin to collaborative storytelling. Using proven artificial neural network algorithms (specifically Self-Organizing Maps, or SOMs) to evaluate the effectiveness of AI-augmented service co-creation, and leveraging the potential of a visualization based on the SOM’s node-map output, the resulting design is a public service platform that gives users meaningful and nuanced exchanges and a simpler, more ‘human’ user experience. The paper describes the technical infrastructure and methods used to facilitate augmented co-creation through the combination of natural language processing, neural network analysis, and interactive visualization, and discusses lessons and insights derived from the developed prototype.