Arcade Strange

As we come to the end of our Innovate UK Creative Catalyst project Arcade Strange I thought I'd reflect on some of the challenges around working with conversational AI and AI of Things. If you don't have time to read it - I'm basically arguing working with children and animals is a breeze compared to wrangling with an AI that "just wants to be free!"

I've spent too much time reading doomer AI predictions and watching that ridiculous AI Coke ad this week. It's enough to make you want to return to bed until January and cancel Christmas. But then I had a great chat with the brilliant David Sloly about personality creation in AI, saw the wild creativity our friends at richard norton and Derek Ahmedzai aka The Peeps brought to their latest BIMA (British Interactive Media Association) event. I had a realisation: maybe it’s not the AI we should be worrying about—it’s the experiences we design with it and the intentions behind those designs. Last week, I saw this in action with our newest addition to The SAIFE in our Vaultiverse: holographic Santa. A grumpy, sarcastic Santa Claus sulking over his presents, refusing to cooperate. A group of players treated it like a vending machine at first—press the right buttons, get the prize. But Santa wasn’t having it. Then one of them asked: ‘What do you want for Christmas, Santa?’ Everything changed. Suddenly there were jokes, debates over mince pies vs Christmas pudding, and even tests of Santa’s Mandarin skills (yes, really). By the time the prize was handed over, they were laughing, smiling, and fully immersed in the moment. It’s proof of something we believe deeply at Arcade Strange Strange: technology can do more than solve problems—it can spark joy. Playful design disarms skepticism, invites trust, and transforms intimidating AI into something familiar, delightful, and even magical. As Arthur C. Clarke said: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Read more about why we think joy isn’t frivolous—it’s fundamental in my latest article: Arcade Strange Rocketmakers Strange Thoughts #AIForJoy #FutureOfAI #CreativeTechnology #Innovation #ExperientialMarketing #TechForJoy #HumanCenteredAI

I've spent too much time reading doomer AI predictions and watching that ridiculous AI Coke ad this week. It's enough to make you want to return to bed until January and cancel Christmas. But then I had a great chat with the brilliant David Sloly about personality creation in AI, saw the wild creativity our friends at richard norton and Derek Ahmedzai aka The Peeps brought to their latest BIMA (British Interactive Media Association) event. I had a realisation: maybe it’s not the AI we should be worrying about—it’s the experiences we design with it and the intentions behind those designs. Last week, I saw this in action with our newest addition to The SAIFE in our Vaultiverse: holographic Santa. A grumpy, sarcastic Santa Claus sulking over his presents, refusing to cooperate. A group of players treated it like a vending machine at first—press the right buttons, get the prize. But Santa wasn’t having it. Then one of them asked: ‘What do you want for Christmas, Santa?’ Everything changed. Suddenly there were jokes, debates over mince pies vs Christmas pudding, and even tests of Santa’s Mandarin skills (yes, really). By the time the prize was handed over, they were laughing, smiling, and fully immersed in the moment. It’s proof of something we believe deeply at Arcade Strange Strange: technology can do more than solve problems—it can spark joy. Playful design disarms skepticism, invites trust, and transforms intimidating AI into something familiar, delightful, and even magical. As Arthur C. Clarke said: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Read more about why we think joy isn’t frivolous—it’s fundamental in my latest article: Arcade Strange Rocketmakers Strange Thoughts #AIForJoy #FutureOfAI #CreativeTechnology #Innovation #ExperientialMarketing #TechForJoy #HumanCenteredAI