5 learnings on rethinking AI in innovation
Partner
Speaker
Location
Studio Barcelona
Published Date
April 22, 2026
Rethinking AI starts by questioning what we take for granted. Beyond the tools and technologies, responsible innovation means understanding the human decisions, systems and consequences behind them. The future of AI depends not only on what technology can do, but on how we choose to use it.
Andrés Colmenares is a strategist, curatorial designer, and creative foresight consultant helping organizations use futures as tools for better decision-making. He has worked with NESTA, Tate, BBC, and WeTransfer, and co-founded IAM Creative Research Lab and The Billion Seconds Institute, exploring the socio-ecological impact of digital systems.
Andrés Colmenares, Knowledge Lab, Xplore Studio Barcelona
01 The way we think and talk about AI shapes decisions
The narratives and language used around AI directly influence how individuals and organizations make decisions about it.
02 There is no clear definition of AI
AI is described as an “umbrella term” with no consensus, making it difficult to regulate and properly understand.
03 AI is shaped by human decisions, not autonomy
AI doesn't operate in a vacuum. Its outputs reflect the people, data, intentions and structures behind it. Understanding these influences is essential to using it responsibly.
04 AI does not have agency
AI does not think or act independently, outcomes are always shaped by humans and organizational structures.
05 We are increasingly disconnected through abstraction
Terms like “AI” or “the cloud” simplify complex realities and distance us from their physical, social, and environmental impact.
news
More from the workbench. Explore the projects, ideas and stories we’re excited to share.
