Echoes of the Waterkant by Anahi Arupa

Traditional *pangi* cloth, reimagined—a fusion of heritage and subtle technological intervention.

What if efficiency came at the cost of identity?

Echoes of the Waterkant: A speculative design project that uses AI to explore the cultural and psychological impacts of enforced professional reskilling in a near-future Suriname.

Arupa_5129, Suriname

Description

Explore how AI-driven systems can reshape cultural identities and challenge traditional work practices. This project delves into a government-mandated retraining program, focusing on its subconscious impact by examining traditional Surinamese folk narratives. The AI simulations, trained on behavioral economics data and cultural artifacts, uncover hidden biases in retraining program. The outcome is a reflection of the fragile balance between technological advancement and the preservation of culture via design.

Context

In this imagined future, Paramaribo is a city where tradition meets technological enforcement. Lush greenery intertwines with stark, monitored infrastructure. Digital interfaces display personal compliance scores, while the historic Waterkant remains a refuge, echoing with whispers of old stories. Citizens navigate between digital obligations and a longing for cultural roots. The air is humid, thick with the scent of river water and the underlying tension of constant, subtle surveillance, creating a society at the crossroads of innovation and heritage.

Provocation

This project highlights a growing tension between technology and self. It is important because it shows possible cultural ramifications. AI’s control is a growing worry. Consider the cost of efficiency. What cultural markers are lost when we design to remove bias?

Arupa_5129's process

Inspired by Surinamese cultural heritage and the ephemeral nature of materials, Arupa, a third-gender designer, initiates this project by examining river sediments and oral histories. These cultural influences shape their non-binary perspective, crucial for challenging conventional norms. Arupa creates detailed datasets from these sources, processed by custom AI algorithms. The AI models predict psychological outcomes based on behavioral economics, refined with synthetic data. This is a approach unveils hidden biases and subtle societal shifts, merging tradition with critical, future-focused insights.

More about Arupa_5129

Events leading to ‘Echoes of the Waterkant’

2024: Global push for AI integration in workforce development gains momentum.

2025: Suriname government announces NRRI, citing the need for economic stability.

2026: First reports surface of subtle cultural resistance to the NRRI's rigid structure.

2027: Increased the use of AI tools to automate routine tasks.

Imagined Future Scenarios Considered

Arupa_5129 considered the following imagined future scenarios while working on this project

AI-driven environmental monitoring tools analyze carbon footprint and resource wastage to improve sustainable practices for any kind of organization

Extrapolated from The 15 fastest-growing jobs in the US, according to LinkedIn - Business Insider

AI tools automate routine tasks like scheduling and initial candidate screening for recruiters, freeing them up to focus on strategic talent acquisition.

Extrapolated from Employment Is Changing Forever - Harvard Business Review

Gamified carbon offsetting platforms make use of behavioral economics, rewarding users with digital badges and virtual achievements for reducing their footprint.

Extrapolated from Weekly Climate and Energy News Roundup #626 - Wattsupwiththat.com

AI-powered nudges in e-government platforms guide citizens towards optimal choices, encouraging enrollment in beneficial programs.

Extrapolated from Factors influencing the adoption of e-government by female university students - Plos.org

Hypothetical Product Ideas Considered

Arupa_5129 considered the following hypothetical product ideas while working on this project

Personal Environmental Quota System (PEQS)

Each individual receives a personal digital wallet with a predetermined allowance of resources (energy, water, food) based on government-defined needs. AI monitors consumption and automatically adjusts quotas based on availability. Exceeding the quota results in penalties and social restrictions. Rewards are given for conservation.

Carbon Compliance Score (Citizen Score)

A mandatory national program tracks individual carbon footprints, rewarding compliance with better access to services (healthcare, education) or discounts. Non-compliance leads to penalties (fines, restricted access). Gamification of carbon reduction becomes a tool for social control linked to everyday life.

AI Recruitment Compliance Suite (ARCS)

A government-mandated software suite that monitors and audits all AI recruitment processes, ensuring compliance with centralized regulations on fairness, transparency, and data privacy. All recruitment AI systems must integrate with ARCS.

National Recruiter Retraining Initiative (NRRI)

A government-funded retraining program designed to equip recruiters with the skills necessary to operate within a highly regulated AI-driven recruitment environment. Focuses on compliance, data management, and human-AI collaboration within strict guidelines.

Nudge Resistance Training

Workshops and online courses designed to educate citizens about the principles of behavioral economics and how AI nudges are used for social engineering. Provides tools and techniques for recognizing, resisting, and ethically influencing nudges.

Eco-Police Patrol (Gamified Enforcement)

A drone-based surveillance system using AI to identify and penalize carbon-intensive activities in real-time (e.g., excessive energy use, illegal waste disposal). Residents are incentivized to report violations to earn rewards, turning neighborhoods into gamified surveillance zones.

Eco-Compliance AI (ECAI)

A mandatory AI platform that monitors and enforces strict environmental regulations for all citizens and organizations. Utilizes real-time data from sensors embedded in everyday objects and public spaces to track resource consumption and detect violations. Penalties range from fines to restrictions on access to resources.

Decentralized Civic Forum

A blockchain-based platform for citizens to collaboratively propose, debate, and vote on AI nudge policies. Ensures transparency, prevents centralized manipulation, and empowers communities to shape the direction of e-government interventions within their local context.

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