There’s an App for That. . . But Should There Be?

Challenging the Technological Fix in Human-Computer-, Human-Robot- and Human-Agent-Interaction

The growing reliance on digital technologies to address social challenges, often described as a technological fix, raises fundamental questions about whether technology is always the right answer. As [6 ] and [1 ] describe, the term „technological fix“ emerged as a critique of overly simplistic technological solutions to complex social problems.

This debate has a long history. One striking example, detailed by [6 ], is the belief, championed by advocates such as Alvin Weinberg, that nuclear energy could be a universal solution to humanity’s resource and environmental challenges. It was seen as a way to eliminate the Malthusian crisis and pollution simply by making clean energy economically attractive. However, history has shown that these so-called fixes often had unforeseen consequences, raising ethical, political, and technical challenges that were initially overlooked.

From a critical theory perspective, it is essential for HCI to consider not only the benefits of new technologies but also their potential negative consequences, as stressed by [ 4]. They emphasize that design should be understood no just as interaction design, but also as shaping society itself. This perspective challenges the assumption that technology always drives progress and encourages a broader societal evaluation of digital solutions.

The idea of the technological fix has become deeply embedded in modern culture, fostering the belief that technological innovation alone can solve any social problem [ 1]. Designers, researchers, or engineers often default to applying technological solutions simply because they are the tools they know best, even when such solutions may not be the most appropriate. This tendency, known as Maslow’s Hammer, reflects the cognitive bias of treating every problem as if it requires a technological fix [2].

Such tendencies can be observed in the design for people with disabilities, which is dominated by experts who rarely consider the voices of the target group in the design process [ 5 ]. For example, the development of sign language avatars in public institutions was strongly criticized by hearing-impaired associations and communities and was seen as an unfit solution to the existing problem [3].

The aim of this workshop is to critically examine the growing tendency toward technological fixes in Human-Computer-, Human-Robot- and Human-Agent-Interaction. By facilitating discussions based on research, case studies, and observations, this workshop will explore key questions, including: Is technology always the right solution? When might it overshadow better, more context-sensitive alternatives? And how can we ensure that digital diversity, as envisioned in the MuC 2025 theme, genuinely accommodates a range of needs and perspectives rather than imposing a homogenized digital experience?

Workshop mode

This will be an on-site workshop, requiring participants to be physically present. The workshop will be conducted as a full-day event, providing enough time for discussions, presentations, and interactive sessions. Both English and German submissions will be accepted. The language of the workshop will be primarily German, with the possibility of English presentations at the request of participants. Participants will have the choice of submitting a max. 2 pages long position paper which will not be published in the proceedings or a max. 4 pages workshop paper which will be peer-reviewed and in case of acceptance published in the GI Digital Library.

Call for Participation

We invite researchers and practitioners to contribute to the discussion on the technological fix and to critically examine the use of technologies in Human-Computer-, Human-Robot- and Human-Agent-Interaction. We seek contributions that reflect on whether technology is always the right answer and on the consequences of technological fixes. The full-day workshop will consist of presentations of position papers (max. 10 minutes each) followed by discussions and interactive tasks leading towards a practical checklist.

Submission requirements:

• Max. 2 pages long position paper which will not be published in the proceedings or a max. 4 pages workshop paper which will be published in the GI Digital Library.
• Submissions in German and English will be accepted.
• Submissions should be made via Conftool by June 20th, 2025 (Acceptance Notice July 8th, 2025; Publication-Ready Deadline July 29th, 2025)
• The language of the workshop will be primarily German, with the possibility of English presentations at the request of participants.
• At least one author of each accepted contribution must attend the workshop and register for at least one day of the conference.
• Authors agree to serve as peer reviewers.

We welcome contributions from experienced, but also early career researchers, practitioners, and thought leaders. Submissions should include case studies or research findings and critically engage with the workshop theme.

Workshop activities

Each participant will present a short position or workshop paper (maximum 10 minutes) to initiate discussions on the suitability and pitfalls of technological fixes. Presentations will be grouped by topic, each followed by a discussion session. Participants will capture insights and reflections using post-it notes to ensure all perspectives are represented.

The workshop will conclude with a brainstorming session to identify key criteria for evaluating technological solutions and recognizing potential biases. Organizers will compile these insights into a practical checklist, which will be available on the workshop website after the event.

A precise timetable and detailed plan will be provided closer to the event date.

Organizers

Matthias Böhmer

Professor of Mobile and Distributed Interactive Systems at the TH Köln and head of the Master’s program in Media Informatics. He is leading the moxd lab. The lab teaches and conducts research at the intersection of ubiquitous computing and human-computer interaction.

Stefan Geisler

Professor of Applied Computer Science and Human-Machine Interaction. He is a chairman of the Positive Computing Research Institute and head of the Bachelor’s and Master’s program Mensch-Technik-Interaktion (Human-Machine Interaction). His focus is on participatory UX design and human-centered technology development.

Sabrina Großkopp

Product designer and UX design researcher at Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences. Holds a Master’s degree from the Folkwang University of the Arts. Explores the aesthetics of interaction with technology in living spaces and the effects on well-being.

Alina Huldtgren

Professor of Digital Health and Intelligent User Interfaces at Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences and director of the Co-Designing Technology for Healthcare Lab. Her research focuses on enabling diverse stakeholders in participatory design of technology for health and well-being.

Seyma Kocak

Holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and is a research assistant at the Institute of Computer Science at HRW. Currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) with main research areas in digital transformation and entrepreneurial mindset.

Ana Müller

Has a background in sociology, is currently a research group leader at TH Köln and a PhD candidate with a focus on interdisciplinary research in human-robot interaction.

Michael Schiffmann

Holds a degree in engineering with a focus on automation. He is currently working as a research assistant and pursuing his PhD at the TH Köln. His research focuses on the development and investigation of systems to improve the quality of interactions between social robots and humans in public spaces.

Justyna Sedkowska

Holds a Master’s degree in User Experience Design and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the field of Human-Machine Interaction and research assistant at the Institute of Positive Computing at HRW. Team member of the UX Space Lab at HRW.

Karina Sturm

Holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is currently a student in the Bachelor’s program Human-Machine Interaction at HRW. Team member of the UX Space Lab at HRW.

Contact

For questions or further information, please contact Justyna Sedkowska at:
justyna.sedkowska@hs-ruhrwest.de