Odyssey The AI that can be
Mentors: Bjorn Karmann, Matteo Loglio
Duration: 1 week
Odyssey is an exploration of friction as a design tool. Instead of avoiding hesitation, delays, or obstacles, this project investigates how subtle resistance can guide reflection, curiosity, and intentional learning. The idea emerged from our own frustration with instant-answer AI, where immediate gratification often undermines the adventure of discovery. Odyssey reframes AI not as a shortcut but as a companion in inquiry, encouraging users to think critically, question deeply, and explore beyond digital interfaces into the real world.
The interface is designed around the Socratic method, prompting users through dialogue and layered questioning rather than delivering immediate answers. Technically, Odyssey runs on a locally hosted LLM, where the system prompt is configured to guide the AI through Socratic inquiry, prompting users with questions, combined with a suggestion system that nudges users to engage with local resources—museum exhibits, scholars, or other experts. Physical tactics include cues to pause and reflect, journaling prompts, and interaction logs that encourage deliberate exploration.
The project revealed the productive tension of friction. Users find the lack of direct answers frustrating, but this pause can become a moment of reflection, pushing them to generate ideas and push themselves to embrace ambiguity. Encouraging conversations with real-world experts also highlighted the importance of bridging digital and physical knowledge.