A surreal restaurant to fix your tech-induced relationship problems
"Convenience can sometimes erode the habits and rituals that make life meaningful.”
Many conversations we could be having with those around us are instead redirected towards our phones, driven by the instant rush of dopamine they conveniently provide. A simple yet profound question —“How might we make people conscious of using their phones as a replacement for genuine connection?”— inspired पल, a fictitious dining experience designed for couples struggling with the ever-present third wheel: the smartphone.
If you’re frustrated by your partner’s habit of constantly checking their phone during dates, पल offers a unique solution. Food is ordered through hand gestures, and phones are set aside. If a phone is detected on the table thereafter, warning messages appear, and the table flashes blue, drawing attention to the disruption. The table also recognises objects and gifts exchanged by the couple, suggesting conversation starters based on these items. The most enchanting feature is activated when the couple holds hands: the table turns pink and plays “Careless Whisper.”
“Invisible Friction” was the theme of the Designing with AI course, and this project aimed to introduce friction into our interactions with technology to address habits that lead to disconnection. By analysing the triggers, behaviours, and rewards underlying these habits, the team focused on the notion of “always feeling bored without a smartphone.” The triggers stemmed from the need to “pass time” or “find alternatives to resolve boredom” leading to aimless phone use, rewarded by dopamine and time consumption.
The concept of a shared meal, traditionally a space for connection, resonated deeply with the team. The presence of a phone at the dinner table is widely perceived as discourteous. Exploring the dynamics of dating—especially as so many modern relationships begin on social media and dating apps—offered a compelling lens. Bodystorming a dinner table interaction, complete with a virtual menu, revealed how phones disengage us from reality. The idea of conversation starters linked to tangible objects and gifts brought to the table emerged as a way to foster deeper connections.
Prototyping the entire dining experience (minus the real food—for now, let’s save that for पल 2.0) sparked boundless creativity. Early iterations used AI/ML tools like Teachable Machines and LLaVA, trained for gesture and object recognition. The final version of पल employs the GPT-4o model, mapping the table, detecting hand positions and objects, and functioning as a playful dating coach. It seamlessly prompts conversations and rudely corrects inattentive behaviour when phones appear.
Engaging practically with AI tools highlighted both their potential and their limitations, offering an ideal space to explore creativity while addressing ethical concerns about AI observing human actions. Technology, in many ways, reflects what humans project onto it, but can it truly nurture and understand the connections and rituals that make us profoundly human?
