Convivial technology: Can it offer an alternative to the ‘age of AI’ in education?

In this talk, Professor Niall Winters will present convivial technology (CT) as an alternative to current rhetorics on the role of generative artificial intelligence in education.

This will involve three foundations: 1. A Freirean approach that conceptualises education as a process; 2. A decolonial frame for understanding technology design and implementation; 3. An introduction to CT principles.

Building on these, Professor Niall will then discuss the ways in which approaches to convivial technology can be understood as a socially just, participatory and environmentally aware. The seminar will end with a discussion on whether this is enough to counter the dominate AI narrative in education today.

Speaker bio: Professor Niall Winters is an Honorary Norham Fellow at the Department of Education, University of Oxford and a Visiting Fellow at Kellogg College. His main research interest is advancing knowledge of the complex development processes involved in designing socially-just technology innovations. This research agenda has been supported by over €7m in funding. Niall was previously Professor of Education and Technology at the Department of Education, co-convenor of the Critical Digital Education Research Group, and Director of the MSc Education (Digital and Social Change.