Model Machines

MA Material Futures students, in collaboration with DeepMind, explore how emerging technologies could lead to a better and more sustainable future.

Over the last couple of decades, we have witnessed seismic changes to the way in which we live, interact and socialise with the environment around us. Whilst we often perceive these changes to be primarily a product of political and social will, it could be argued that the real primary driver of these changes is technology. From Tamagotchis and Gameboys to tablets and smartphones, the last twenty years has led to a seamless integration of technology within every single aspect of our lives. From the way in which we socialise, date and interact with the people around us to the way in which we vote and work, technology has allowed us to connect, trade and learn with people across the globe effortlessly and easily, and this has led to the acceleration of a more global and interconnected culture which would be completely unimaginable to us just a few decades ago.

However, with the advancement of artificial intelligence, robotics and machine learning, we are on the cusp of immense technological developments that will once again lead to staggering changes to all of our lives. Whilst such technologies could lead us to better tackle global challenges around the climate emergency, food insecurity, healthcare and education, it will also lead to a whole host of new challenges such as the future of work, automation and the re-distribution of wealth, power and resources.

In collaboration with DeepMind, MA Material Futures at Central Saint Martins imagines how technologies could be deployed to tackle some of the most complex and pressing issues that we face today and in the future.