Design Fiction Workshop: Critically Exploring the Future of Social Scoring Systems (SSS) in Switzerland

As Social Scoring Systems (SSS) gain global attention, questions of fairness, transparency, and digital dignity are becoming increasingly urgent. Within the framework of the Digital Society Initiative (DSI) at the University of Zurich, this workshop forms the public stage of a two-phase design fiction project examining possible futures of SSS in the Swiss context.

In the first stage, the research team developed a series of speculative design fictions that imagine how SSS might be implemented in Switzerland and what ethical, social, and governance challenges could emerge.
The second stage uses these design fictions as discussion triggers in a series of structured focus-group sessions followed by a public roundtable.

Participants from diverse backgrounds (including students, researchers, experts, and citizens) will analyze and debate the scenarios, reflecting on both their potential benefits and their risks for equity, accountability, and democratic values. A roundtable will synthesize insights from the focus groups, identifying cross-cutting themes, tensions, and actionable recommendations for responsible digital governance in Switzerland.

Together, participants will address key guiding questions:

• What are the pros and cons of SSS?
• How can SSS be designed to uphold individual rights and transparency?
• What risks and inequalities could arise from their implementation?
• How can design fiction foster informed public dialogue on digital governance?

When / Wann: December 11, 2025, 13:00 - 16:30

Where / Wo: Digital Society Initiative, Rämistrasse 69, 8001 Zurich

Language / Sprache:  English

More information / Weitere Infos: Link (PDF, 3 MB)

Registration / Anmeldung: Link

Organisation: DSI Community Communication & Co.

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