Fables & Futures: A workshop based on play about technology and society

AI is everywhere, but it doesn’t represent everyone. Fables & Futures is a creative learning kit that uses graphic fables, project-based activities, and a game-building environment (similar to Scratch) to help young people develop a real point of view about AI and the emerging technologies shaping their lives. This workshop invites children aged 8–13 to step into Massa Mist, a lush valley where technology is embedded in the natural landscape (a world inspired by the solar punk genre, the work of Hayao Miyazaki, and a touch of the Moomins!) Participants will read one of two original graphic fables set in Massa Mist, exploring surveillance, algorithmic profiling, data ownership, privacy, and consent. A debrief and reflection will follow, digging into who benefited, who was harmed, who gets to make decisions that affect a whole community, and what agreements communities need in place around technology. From there, participants will look at real-world parallels, then continue exploring the issues through project-based activities like future forecasting and comic strip creation, culminating in building a Massa Mist–inspired game in GameBender, a play-based creative coding environment that uses visual "code stickers" and requires no prior coding experience. In order to build in GameBender, participants will need to bring a laptop (and a mouse is recommended). Parents and caregivers are welcome to join the session. Fables & Futures was created by Ariam Mogos, a lecturer at the Stanford d.school and a National Geographic Explorer, in collaboration with youth organizations across the Bay Area including West Oakland Middle School, the Museum of Art and Digital Entertainment, and 826 Valencia. Max attendance: 15 Cost: $10 for comic or $15 for kit