At Design Matters 2025, Marie-Claire (MC) will open the conversation on Slow Design, exploring how designers can embrace its principles- reflection, responsibility, and long-term value- amid the relentless pace of AI-driven tools and workflows. MC wrote her first prompt for a chatbot she built from scratch in 2004. Back then, GenAI was just an idea. Today, that spark has ignited into a transformative force- one that’s reshaping how we create, collaborate, and lead.
With a PhD in Conversational AI, MC couldn’t be more excited about the possibilities of Generative AI. Yet, as AI accelerates design processes and shortens the path to outcomes, the challenge is ensuring that speed doesn’t come at the expense of thoughtfulness, ethics, and long-term impact.
Reflecting the theme Steps Forward, this conversation will bridge timeless craftsmanship with today’s AI landscape. Through inspiring examples- such as an architect planting trees for future generations, a ceramicist crafting objects that reveal the human touch over time, or the artistry of Savile Row tailoring - MC will create a space for designers to explore how to craft meaningful, enduring experiences in the AI era.
By balancing AI’s speed with intentional design, this session will inspire designers to slow down, think deeply, and embrace a more holistic, collaborative approach to shaping the future.
