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Project

DCODE

1 January 2021 - 1 September 2024

The digital transformation has profoundly changed our society, but traditional design practices have struggled to keep up with these rapid developments. The DCODE project aims to bridge this gap by developing new knowledge, skills, and roles necessary to integrate autonomous technology design with human values, fostering a sustainable and human-centered digital future.

Research Methodology and Approach


DCODE employs an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together researchers and partners from academia and industry. Through practice-based research, workshops, and co-creation sessions, innovative design strategies are developed that consider the ethical, social, and political dimensions of autonomous technologies.
"Rethinking design practices is essential to creating technologies that truly benefit humanity and responsibly transform our society."

Artificial Intelligence offers unprecedented opportunities—but how do we apply these in real-world practice? How can we collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams and translate the EU AI Act into daily reality?

Over the past four years, fifteen candidates from various countries have explored how creativity can enrich technology and how we can co-create an inclusive and sustainable digital future. Learn more about DCODE at www.dcode-network.eu.

DCODE Conference


On October 17–18, these research findings were presented during the Design + AI Extravaganza conference hosted by the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA).

Connection to Education


The DCODE project maintains strong ties to education through the development of new curricula and training programs designed to prepare future designers and engineers for the challenges of autonomous systems. Students are actively involved in research activities and contribute to groundbreaking projects within the Responsible IT research group.

Expected Outcomes


DCODE aims to develop new design principles and methods that align the development of autonomous technologies with human values. The project also strives to build a sustainable network of researchers and professionals working together on responsible digital transformation, alongside creating educational content and training programs for both students and professionals in the field.

Team Members

  • Elisa Giaccardi – Project Leader, Delft University of Technology

  • Prof. Dr. Somaya Ben Allouch – Researcher, Digital Life Centre, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

  • Mugdha Patil – Researcher, Digital Life Centre, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

  • Somayeh Ranjbar – Researcher, Digital Life Centre, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

Partners

DCODE is a Europe-funded network and program with 15 PhD candidates. We train researchers and designers to guide society’s digital transformation toward an inclusive and sustainable future.
This network consists of research partners such as Delft University of Technology, Umeå Institute of Design, University of Edinburgh, University of Copenhagen, Aarhus University, the Transport and Telecommunication Institute, and the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences.
Other partners include the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions, MyTomorrows, Philips Advanced Care Research Centre, Open Future, LucidMinds, ClearboxAI, the BBC, and Leiden University Medical Center.
More information about DCODE can be found at www.dcode-network.eu.