Why imagination is a vital tool of resistance

Identity 2.0 is a creative studio imagining a better digital future, using creative interventions. Learn how they use creativity as a powerful tool for leveraging change against tech – from using zine making to resisting generative AI to building games to share how autonomous weapons systems work.

About the speaker:

Identity 2.0 is a creative studio imagining better digital futures. Their work tells different stories about our relationship to technology. They transform research into creative mediums and develop playful knowledge spaces. Working with partners and independently, they shape exciting but important stories about technology.

Their interdisciplinary work has spanned exhibitions, printed zines, workshops and digital experiences. Previously they have collaborated with Stop Killer Robots, Feminist Internet and the Goethe Institut and have spoken around the world about their experiences, including at the University of Oxford and World Web Foundation. Their work has been praised by Mozilla, AccessNow and Kevin Roose and they have also been named #WebChampions by Tim Berners-Lee and selected for the first DesignKind programme by the British Council and Pentagram.

Arda Awais and Savena Surana co-founded Identity 2.0:

Arda Awais is an award winning multidisciplinary designer and creative technologist with an expertise in user experience design. She has worked with the likes of Goethe Institut, Tate, Dove and Soho House. She has been named a #WebChampion by Tim Berners-Lee, awarded the BIMA 100 award in the creators and designers category, selected to be a Design Council expert to work on projects accelerating the #DesignforPlanet mission and serves on the G42 board for the pillar AI & Ethics.

Savena Surana is a project manager, producer, strategist and artist working at the intersection of technology and culture. She specialises in helping social purpose organisations build tools and processes; whether that’s managing complex digital builds, running grant programmes, or developing communications strategy. She’s delivered websites, brand films, grant management systems and public programmes for organisations including the Institute of Imagination, the UN’s Digital Impact Alliance, Common Knowledge and Civic Power Fund.