Human and Artificial Systems in the Design for Social Innovation: Critical Issues and Opportunities

The complexity of human and artificial systems plays a crucial role in Design for Social Innovation (DfSI). In the field of DfSI, the main challenge is to integrate human systems, characterized by diverse behaviors, needs, and values, with artificial systems, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybernetic systems. The systems approach to DfSI, therefore, requires interdisciplinary collaboration that integrates expertise in design, social sciences, technology, and ethics. The goal is to develop design methodologies that are capable of managing complexity and promoting inclusive, sustainable, and adaptive social innovation. This research has systematized DfSI initiatives that integrate artificial systems into complex social problems currently present in the Umbria Region, with the aim of addressing the challenge of scalability, i.e., the ability to adapt design solutions to different contexts and communities, stimulating the emergence of new creative and innovative opportunities.