Utop’IA: a graphic novel to understand the impact of AI

Launched in 2023 following the EduNum reform, the project is part of an ongoing focus on the social dimensions of digital technology, which notably address the environmental impacts of digitalization.

In this continuation, the project is a result of a collaboration with a team of experts in sustainability, digital sociology, and learning sciences, and is supported by a scientific committee made up of EPFL scientists.

This committee helped enrich and support a storyline, developed and illustrated by the graphic novel author known by the pen name Herji.

Educational dimension

Designed as an educational tool, this project also includes a teaching guide featuring discussion-based activities and serious games, enabling the comic book to be used in school settings to encourage reflection on the ecological challenges of artificial intelligence. The activities are free to download and also available to order. They can be further enriched with your contributions! For more information, contact us using the details below. 

Synopsis

Aïcha, a student in artificial intelligence, believes AI is the miracle solution to the climate crisis. Félix, on the other hand, opposes AI, arguing that it will only make things worse. Tasked with settling the debate, the eccentric Professor Eliza, an AI expert, takes them on a journey to uncover the ecological stakes of artificial intelligence — from the depths of mines to the heights of government. A necessary and surprising exploration that tackles a controversial aspect of this technology: in the face of the climate crisis, is AI a unique opportunity or… just another problem?

Scientific committee

Educational resources

A series of educational activities have been developed to accompany the reading of the graphic novel (available only in French).

D’IA.log

D’IA.log : prompts for dialogue to question representations of artificial intelligence and encourage critical thinking.

Famil’IA

Famil’IA : an “8 families” card game to discover the key concepts explored in Utop’IA, such as the rebound effect, technosolutionism, and planned obsolescence.

Med’IA

Med’IA TV : a role-playing game in the form of a televised debate to confront different perspectives on the challenges of AI.

Memor’IA

Memor’IA : a memory game to explore the life cycle of digital devices essential to AI.

Infox’IA

Infox’IA : a true-or-false game that invites players to deconstruct common misconceptions by distinguishing false beliefs from reliable information.

Victor’IA

Victor’IA : A quiz game to test your knowledge of artificial intelligence and its challenges.

References

Access the various resources used to build the scientific basis of the book here.