C/Change: Research & Development Lab 2022

Emerging technologies–from artificial intelligence and extended reality to big data and the blockchain–promise to create connections and enrich our experiences of the world, yet we find ourselves further and further apart from one another. Simultaneously, shifting geopolitical circumstances and a global pandemic threaten to entrench these divisions even more deeply. In order to transform the digital world into a space where people can learn and share together, we need to imbue technological development with a spirit of inclusivity, open access, diversity of perspective, and safety. C/Change responds to this need for new frameworks for digital connection with a Research and Development Lab where creators will design the future of tech-enabled cultural exchange. Interdisciplinary individuals and teams are invited to submit proposals for virtual experiences, tools, or platforms that promote cultural exchange; selected applicants will participate either in-person or online in a 6-month lab and receive up to $20,000 in funding to produce interactive, scaleable prototypes that bring to life visions for possible digital futures.