AI-based Serendip takes learning into virtual reality
Unexpected connections and innovations can lead to solutions to sustainability challenges.
A completely new way of learning about sustainability has been developed at the University of Helsinki: Serendip is an AI-based virtual environment where students solve sustainability challenges. Serendip is part of the University’s Global Campus project.
The Serendip game takes students on an adventure in a virtual reality landscape stretching from boreal forest to desert, and from ocean depths to rainforest. In the first episode, students familiarise themselves with topics such as forestry, forest ecology and indigenous peoples.
They explore sustainability issues from the perspective of several disciplines and complete assignments with narrative AI characters. They learn to identify and connect matters that affect sustainability, as well as establish a vision based on their values alongside artificial intelligence.
“We all have a role to play in building a sustainable future. With the help of Serendip, we hope that students will find their own way of working towards an increasingly sustainable world,” says Ulla Hemminki-Reijonen, who oversees the project.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration as a cornerstone of Serendip
The virtual learning environment is the result of combined expertise from several disciplines. University Lecturer Rami Ratvio, who teaches the University’s sustainability course available to all students, has been a strong support. Specialists in, for example, forest sciences, sustainability sciences, educational sciences and cultural studies from several faculties have contributed to the project’s first episode.
“It’s vital to increase awareness of the effects of climate change on indigenous cultures. Giving students the chance to live in our community virtually for a while will hopefully increase dialogue that promotes understanding and sustainability,” says Outi Laiti, a postdoctoral researcher in indigenous studies and of Sámi origin herself.
Laiti specialises in Sámi game research and has been involved in designing the section on indigenous perspectives of the Serendip game.
Every character in the game has been carefully crafted to be as realistic as possible. According to Hemminki-Reijonen, the character of a forest owner, for instance, has been constructed together with researchers of forest sciences to ensure that the concerns expressed by the character and related elements in general are up to date and accurate.
Professor Pasi Puttonen from the Department of Forest Sciences has contributed to the development of the first episode of the game:
“It’s astounding, innovative and dream-like what artificial intelligence can bring to teaching in the forest sciences. I’ve interviewed Finnish forest owners over several decades, but this was the first time I had the opportunity to talk to an AI forest owner. The artificial intelligence used in this assignment has been designed in a fairly realistic manner. Would even artificial intelligence have known that the Finnish Metsänomistaja 2020 (‘Forest Owner 2020’) study and the forest owner profiles created for it would be utilised in such a unique way?”
Students intensely involved in development
The first episode of Serendip, ‘Boreal Forest’, will be released in autumn 2024. Following it will be three other sustainability-themed episodes on oceans, deserts and rainforests. In the future, students can earn credits by completing the game.
Students have significantly contributed to the development of Serendip. The project team employs a number of students, and collaboration has been conducted, for example, with the Student Union’s Environmental Committee. According to Hemminki-Reijonen, the game would lack many important perspectives and exciting content for students without their intensive contribution.
Letizia Pandini, a student of sustainability sciences and a member of the Serendip team, has found participating in in the game’s development refreshing and rewarding. Pandini is particularly pleased that the sustainability game will soon be complete and available for all to enjoy.
“I’ve had the opportunity to apply my expertise in sustainability sciences in practice and carry out creative systems thinking. It’s been great to see my ideas come to life in a virtual environment.”
Recognition for Serendip in international competitions
The sustainability game has already attracted a lot of interest from outside the University, also internationally. In fact, the game is well suited to, for example, staff training for obtaining up-to-date research knowledge on sustainability challenges.
In April 2024, Serendip will vie for victory in one of Europe’s biggest XR competitions, in the category ‘XR for a Cause’. Previously, the game was a finalist in both a Nordic XR application prototype competition and the global Hamar UNESCO City of Media Arts Award.
Background
- Serendip is part of the University’s Global Campus project.
- Serendip represents an innovative approach to educational technology and seeking bold solutions.
- The multidisciplinary and international project team helps teachers experiment with artificial intelligence and extended reality in their teaching. This is done by co-creating educational technology solutions for identified needs with University students, teachers and researchers.
- The name Serendip comes from an old Persian fairy tale entitled ‘The Three Princes of Serendip’ where the princes make serendipitous discoveries.
- The Serendip project is based on the serendipitous learning approach, according to which solutions to sustainability challenges can come about through unexpected connections and innovations.