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The landscape of artificial intelligence is rapidly evolving, with technology moving beyond simple task automation to explore more nuanced and personal applications. AI is increasingly integrated into our daily lives, shaping our experiences and interactions. This exploration showcases how designers are reimagining our relationship with technology and pushing the boundaries of both functionality and emotional connection.

Designed by London studio Future Facility, the conceptual AI device SUSA challenges the design paradigm of handheld technology. The project aims to create a “calmer” relationship with technology, prioritizing tactile interaction over constant visual stimulation.

The device, remarkably crafted from Ceraluminum – a proprietary, 100% recyclable ASUS material – boasts a unique perforated surface that hides its screen, redirecting user attention away from the display and towards the physical object. This deliberate design choice underscores the project’s focus on a more mindful digital experience.

The device’s unique design is not just about aesthetics; it’s about a fundamental shift in how we interact with technology. The perforated surface itself acts as a physical barrier, mitigating the distracting allure of social media and entertainment. While users can still access photographs, videos, and games, these are presented at a lower resolution through the perforations. In contrast, AI-powered tasks and audio-related functions remain in high resolution, highlighting the device’s capability to prioritize contextually relevant interactions.

SUSA’s innovative approach goes further than simply hiding the screen. The Ceraluminum casing, with its smooth, matt finish and subtle variations in patina, creates a tangible connection with the device. This tactile experience, further enhanced by advanced haptic feedback, positions SUSA as more than just a tool; it’s an object that engages the user’s senses, fostering a less jarring and more thoughtful interaction.

By deliberately reducing visual stimuli, SUSA suggests a potential future for mobile devices that prioritize intuitive, tactile experiences over constant visual input. The AI-powered voice commands, paired with this refined material palette, create an environment that is less overwhelming and allows for more focused interaction. By moving away from the constant pull of visual stimulation, the device encourages a more meaningful connection with technology and its capabilities, and offers a perspective on the importance of materiality in shaping our experience with the digital world.

Morrama, a design studio known for its innovative approach, is exploring the intersection of technology and child mental health with its concept series, “Mindful AI Tools.” This collection of four devices—Calm, Comfort, Create, and Connect—leverages machine learning and data analysis to support children aged 6+ in managing emotions, fostering creativity, and building connections. Moving away from overly “high-tech” aesthetics, these tools embrace a playful design and bold colors, aiming to bring joy alongside their therapeutic benefits.

Central to the concept is “Calm,” a reimagined fidget spinner that integrates sensors to capture a child’s wellbeing data, such as heart rate, sweat levels, and motion patterns. This data is then used to tailor the experiences on the other three devices, creating a personalized approach to mental health support. “Comfort,” a small projector with a built-in speaker, provides a safe escape by responding to a child’s requests with calming visuals and sounds. Children can transport themselves to imaginative landscapes or calming educational settings, offering a controlled yet nurturing environment.

“Connect,” a unique AI companion shaped like a sunflower, focuses on facilitating communication between the child and their parents or caregivers. Its touch-sensitive petals and display screen help kickstart conversations by asking questions and guiding discussions. “Create,” a modern take on a coloring book, brings in the power of AI by generating line drawings based on children’s spoken prompts. It also offers simple puzzles and templates to stimulate their creativity, encouraging them to interact with AI in a playful way.

This collection of “Mindful AI Tools” is designed to foster both wellbeing and connection. The data gathered by the “Calm” device helps to personalize the output from “Comfort,” while “Connect” helps bridge communication gaps and create trust, and “Create” uses AI to inspire creativity. Morrama’s focus here isn’t just on creating new gadgets but on crafting a more supportive and responsive home environment for young children.

While these devices are currently conceptual, they provide a compelling vision of AI’s potential role in supporting child development. The combination of data-driven personalization, playful design, and a focus on well-being highlights the importance of considering emotional and mental health in the future of technology design for the home and for future generations to come.

Friend, a new startup, introduces a novel vision for AI devices with its namesake product: a wearable necklace designed for constant companionship. This amulet-like pendant is not about productivity or task management; instead, Friend focuses on providing supportive, conversational interactions throughout the day. The device constantly listens to its wearer, sending unprompted text messages based on their daily activities and experiences, aiming to be a genuine companion.

The genesis of Friend comes from a place of personal experience, as company founder Avi Schiffmann states. Feeling disillusioned with the prevailing focus on productivity within the AI space, he sought to create a more human connection through technology. While on a solo trip, he realized that he wanted his AI companion to not just be functional, but present and understanding. This insight led to the development of Friend, a device stripped down to its core purpose of companionship.

The functionality of Friend is straightforward. It constantly listens and sends text messages without prompting, acting as a silent observer and participant in the wearer’s day. Users can also directly speak to Friend by pressing the device, receiving a text reply. The AI is designed to take a positive and supportive tone, adding a layer of comfort and encouragement to interactions. While the audio is constantly recorded, it is sent to the cloud for processing and encrypted, with no long-term storage.

The physical design of Friend is intentionally simple and unassuming. The circular pendant features a light-up central element and is currently available in white, emphasizing its focus on function over complex aesthetics. This pared-down design reinforces the concept of Friend as a personal companion rather than a flashy gadget, making it feel less intrusive and more naturally integrated into the wearer’s life.

Friend’s unique approach to AI companionship highlights a growing trend within tech design, focusing on emotional and relational needs rather than pure efficiency. By prioritizing connection and understanding, Friend offers a new model for how AI can enhance our lives, shifting the paradigm away from transactional interactions and towards more human-centered engagement. It’s a daring and intriguing design direction that could reshape how we perceive and interact with AI technology.