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Technology and Creativity Conference

   

A Premier Event in the Consumer Technology Space

 

As a premier event in the consumer technology space, the 2025 Design Shenzhen Technology and Creativity Conference aims to create an international platform focused on the integration of technology and design, setting a benchmark for China's tech and design sectors. In 2025, the forum will undergo an exciting transformation with the overarching theme Digital Design for Humanity. This two-day event will feature discussions centred around four key sub-themes, bringing together leading experts and thought leaders from around the world to explore how technology and design can shape the future of human society.

 

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Technology and Creativity Conference 2025 Theme

Digital Design for Humanity

Machine intelligence is the most powerful and game changing factor in design since ‘computer-aided design’ arrived in the 1980s. At that time, use of computers in design was revolutionary; now tech does not ‘aid’ design, it is completely integrated. The message used to be: ‘If it’s not sustainable, it’s not design’. Now the message is: ‘If it's not machine-enabled, it’s not design’ – and, of course, digital technology is now underpinning sustainable design as much as it is any other form of practice.

The key factor for thought leaders way out in front of the dizzying competitive race to develop ever more sophisticated forms of Artificial Intelligence – machine intelligence – in design is what it means for us humans – for our humanity – indeed, what it means to be human. Will machines replace us? Will machine creativity overtake human creativity? What exactly is creativity and where does the Big Idea come from? What about machine ethics as opposed to human ethics? Jony Ive, the fabled designer of the iPhone, limits his children’s access to social media and is working, says Wired magazine, with design icon Marc Newson on a product that uses AI to create a ‘computing experience’ that is less socially disruptive than the iPhone (note the phrasing – a ‘computing experience’).  Fuseproject founder Yves Béhar, another major influence in this advanced thinking, doesn't see the attraction. ‘I find the efforts in using AI for our daily communications and social media … only serve the attention economy,’ he says. It isn’t contributing to society.’ 

All of which leads us the major issues of Technology, Creativity and Design that we tackle in Design Shenzhen’s first-ever groundbreaking design / tech conference. We go back to the late 80s and 90s when ‘human-centred design’ was gaining traction; the idea that the things we design should conform to our behaviour, as opposed to modifying our behaviour to suit the things. The modern AI version of that idea is computers that enhance and amplify our humanity rather than degrade or sideline it.

Computing is no longer a tool; computers are themselves designers. As for human creativity, the practice of design by humans for humans, we seek to practice from the soul, from the heart – with love – which is what computers will never do.

Be assured, the key questions are the ones we ask at the Design Shenzhen Conference. As for the answers – no guarantees. But this is definitely the best place to start.

 

Aidan Walker,

Design Shenzhen / Design Shanghai Conference Director

Four Themes

Theme One

Re-Designing Design: the future of the love affair between technology and creativity

  • What ‘Human-Centred’ or ‘User-Centred’ design means in the AI-driven age
  • The algorithm rules – or does it. How do we control the generative design process?
  • Interaction design is not a new idea. How will the rampant growth of machine intelligence affect human behaviour?

Theme Two

The Machine and Nature: Digital equals Sustainable

  • ‘Sustainability is no longer enough’, say the leading thinkers on the critical imperative for human survival. We must not only sustain or maintain, we must create. What are the key areas where AI can protect our natural world, not destroy it?
  • Natural materials are more important than ever in the search for the ‘human touch’ in designing products and environments. We explore how digital technology drives new forms of nature
  • As humanity becomes ever more urban, how does the Smart City fit in the natural world?

Theme Three

Aesthetic cross-fertilisations: Design and artistic culture meet

  • Practitioners in the traditional arts and crafts – painting, fashion, sculpture and much more - explain how AI and digital technology supports and develops their work
  • Creatives discover and develop new hybrid forms of expression in a space between humanity and technology
  • ‘Digital art’ is not a new thing. Where is AI taking us, and can a robot make true art?

Theme Four

The Big Debate: Human versus AI creativity. Where does the Big Idea come from? 

  • The impact of AI and advanced machine intelligence on society
  • The Spectre of Singularity: Will the machines really take over, and what can we do to prevent them?
  • In entertainment, retail and work, what new AI-driven experiences await us? Where are the cutting-edge thinkers taking us?

2025 Schedule

20 September

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  1. 1. Wisdom of the Hand- 2 layers of Design interventions - Problem solving / Technology architecture (old layer) - AI/Robot design with social/cultural aptitude 2. What is Pro-Social design? 3. AI, UX ...
  2. 1. Transparency Is Not a Style, but a Value 2.Is “Naturalness” Possible in Digital Products? 3. Sustainability for Tech Brands Is More Than “Emission Reduction”—It’s About “Empathy”
  3. 1. Future Mobility: From Transportation Tool to “Mobile Living Space” 2. Designing for Sensory Living: Expressing Brand Philosophy and Emotional Value 3. Human-Centered Design in an Intelligent Age: M ...
  4. As we seek deeper emotional resonance and human-centered experiences in products and environments, natural materials are reclaiming center stage. In this session, we explore how AI and digital technol ...
  5. This roundtable discussion focuses on re-examining the role, value judgement, human-machine relationship and behavioural logic of designers in the context of the rapid development of artificial intell ...
  6. 1. Digital Research on Bamboo Ecology Enables Sustainable Resource Management 2. Integrating Natural Characteristics with Intelligent Design to Innovate Bamboo Applications 3. Building a Digital Ecosy ...
  7. 1. From Launch to Lifespan: Designing the Full-Service Journey 2. Orchestrating Service Touchpoints: Where Design Meets Operations 3. Designing for Trust, Loyalty, and Growth
  8. The wave of digitalization and intelligent transformation is rapidly sweeping the world, and the combination of design and technology is driving change and innovation in various industries. Technology ...
  9. 1. From Concept to Practice: Making Sustainability Tangible, Participatory, and Actionable through Design 2.Reviving Local Materials: How Indigenous Resources Can Be Digitally Empowered for Ecological ...
  10. 1. Technology is not the enemy of emotion—it is a new medium for imagination. 2. Artistic thinking brings emotional depth into technological systems. 3. The fusion of art and technology is redefining ...
  11. 1. Human-Centered Intelligent Interaction: Creating Natural and Seamless Interfaces 2. Personalization and Empathy: AI-Driven Customized Experiences with Emotional Connection 3. Augmented Collaboratio ...
  12. With the rapid advancement of AI and advanced machine intelligence, the design field faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges. We are approaching a “singularity” era—where machine intelligence ...
  13. In today ’ s fast-changing era, design is no longer confined to traditional fields, but needs to draw on and integrate a variety of cultural, artistic and technological elements. Cross-boundary thinki ...
  14. Digital art ’ is not a new thing. Where is AI taking us, and can AI make true art? 1.From Tool to Co-Creator: AI is Redefining the Boundaries of Creation 2.Can Aesthetic Judgment Be Trained? Can Algor ...
  15. 1.Empowering Global SMEs: AI-Driven Inclusive Design for “Better Products, Sold Globally” 2.Intelligent Supply Chain and Green Design: AI-Enabling Sustainable Practices Across the Product Lifecycle 3. ...
  16. 1. Integrated Experience Design: Making Function the Foundation of Multisensory Aesthetics 2. Aesthetics-Driven System Innovation: Cross-Disciplinary Design Language Shaping Product Ecosystems 3. Cros ...
  17. 1. Building Dynamic Closed Loops: Connecting Products and Growth Through Diverse Design 2. Dialogue Between Culture and Aesthetics: Fostering Symbiotic Innovation Between AI and Craftsmanship While Pr ...
  18. 1. AGI-Driven Innovation in Architecture and Spatial Design: Breaking Traditional Boundaries 2.Design Leading the Practical Application of AGI in Commercial and Cultural Spaces 3.Building Sustainable ...

21 September

Loading
  1. 1. Wisdom of the Hand- 2 layers of Design interventions - Problem solving / Technology architecture (old layer) - AI/Robot design with social/cultural aptitude 2. What is Pro-Social design? 3. AI, UX ...
  2. 1. Transparency Is Not a Style, but a Value 2.Is “Naturalness” Possible in Digital Products? 3. Sustainability for Tech Brands Is More Than “Emission Reduction”—It’s About “Empathy”
  3. 1. Future Mobility: From Transportation Tool to “Mobile Living Space” 2. Designing for Sensory Living: Expressing Brand Philosophy and Emotional Value 3. Human-Centered Design in an Intelligent Age: M ...
  4. As we seek deeper emotional resonance and human-centered experiences in products and environments, natural materials are reclaiming center stage. In this session, we explore how AI and digital technol ...
  5. This roundtable discussion focuses on re-examining the role, value judgement, human-machine relationship and behavioural logic of designers in the context of the rapid development of artificial intell ...
  6. 1. Digital Research on Bamboo Ecology Enables Sustainable Resource Management 2. Integrating Natural Characteristics with Intelligent Design to Innovate Bamboo Applications 3. Building a Digital Ecosy ...
  7. 1. From Launch to Lifespan: Designing the Full-Service Journey 2. Orchestrating Service Touchpoints: Where Design Meets Operations 3. Designing for Trust, Loyalty, and Growth
  8. The wave of digitalization and intelligent transformation is rapidly sweeping the world, and the combination of design and technology is driving change and innovation in various industries. Technology ...
  9. 1. From Concept to Practice: Making Sustainability Tangible, Participatory, and Actionable through Design 2.Reviving Local Materials: How Indigenous Resources Can Be Digitally Empowered for Ecological ...
  10. 1. Technology is not the enemy of emotion—it is a new medium for imagination. 2. Artistic thinking brings emotional depth into technological systems. 3. The fusion of art and technology is redefining ...
  11. 1. Human-Centered Intelligent Interaction: Creating Natural and Seamless Interfaces 2. Personalization and Empathy: AI-Driven Customized Experiences with Emotional Connection 3. Augmented Collaboratio ...
  12. With the rapid advancement of AI and advanced machine intelligence, the design field faces unprecedented opportunities and challenges. We are approaching a “singularity” era—where machine intelligence ...
  13. In today ’ s fast-changing era, design is no longer confined to traditional fields, but needs to draw on and integrate a variety of cultural, artistic and technological elements. Cross-boundary thinki ...
  14. Digital art ’ is not a new thing. Where is AI taking us, and can AI make true art? 1.From Tool to Co-Creator: AI is Redefining the Boundaries of Creation 2.Can Aesthetic Judgment Be Trained? Can Algor ...
  15. 1.Empowering Global SMEs: AI-Driven Inclusive Design for “Better Products, Sold Globally” 2.Intelligent Supply Chain and Green Design: AI-Enabling Sustainable Practices Across the Product Lifecycle 3. ...
  16. 1. Integrated Experience Design: Making Function the Foundation of Multisensory Aesthetics 2. Aesthetics-Driven System Innovation: Cross-Disciplinary Design Language Shaping Product Ecosystems 3. Cros ...
  17. 1. Building Dynamic Closed Loops: Connecting Products and Growth Through Diverse Design 2. Dialogue Between Culture and Aesthetics: Fostering Symbiotic Innovation Between AI and Craftsmanship While Pr ...
  18. 1. AGI-Driven Innovation in Architecture and Spatial Design: Breaking Traditional Boundaries 2.Design Leading the Practical Application of AGI in Commercial and Cultural Spaces 3.Building Sustainable ...

2025 Speakers