Future Digital Society

While taking this course, you will develop critical knowledge and practical skills to consider how computing is affecting contemporary society, and how the development and use of digital technologies intersect with social, economic, and ethical issues in societies. 

The course challenges students to summarize and critically discuss different roles that digital technology plays in society and imagine future implications of emerging technologies using speculative design methods, with a particular focus on design fiction. 

You will be taught by Airi Lampinen, Stockholms Universitet , who coordinates the course, along with a number of international guest speakers from other CIVIS universities. 

This is a highly interactive course where active participation is expected. At present, we offer no option for auditing the course.  

You may enroll in this individual course or, over time, complete the whole micro-programme as additional courses are launched during the following academic years. 

Goal 

Upon successful completion of this course, the students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to summarize and critically discuss different roles computing plays in society as well as to envision future implications of emerging technologies with the help of speculative design methods. 

In line with the objectives of the broader micro-programme, the aims of the course include enabling students to become ‘interactional experts’ - people who can work in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary ways to address the challenges of ensuring that digital tools and services are developed in equitable and just ways for the communities they aim to support. This includes developing students' understanding of the technical capabilities and limitations of digital technology while also having the skills and knowledge to take human behaviour, social interactions, and social and cultural contexts into account.  

Learning outcomes 

By the end of this course, the students will be able to: 

• select and discuss research literature on the social and societal consequences of emerging technologies 
• discuss possible consequences of new technologies in society 
• discuss literature on speculative design methods and apply key concepts related to speculative design methods to current examples of emerging technologies 

Content 

The course is delivered online, in 10 two-hour sessions during the first semester of the 2025-26 academic year.  

The course will include: 

• Introduction to future digital society 
• Introduction to design futuring and design fiction 
• Thematic session on inclusion & accessibility 
• Thematic session on ethics & values 
• Thematic session on sustainability & well-being 
• Thematic session on political & economic aspects 
• Hands-on work and discussion in interactive seminars