Learning AI by Doing – AI, Power, and Gender Equality

Most of us have been there. 

In a conference room, a presentation projected on the wall, where we listen, nod, discuss, and take notes about complex societal challenges - but rarely have the chance to truly feel, test, or actually do. 

At the same time, we are in the midst of rapid AI development that affects power, resources, and opportunities in society. AI is not neutral. It is trained on historical patterns and risks reproducing - or even reinforcing — existing inequalities. That is precisely why understanding AI technically is not enough. We also need to understand how our own assumptions, norms, and decisions shape the systems we build and use. 

But how do we create engagement around issues that are complex, sensitive, and sometimes difficult to approach? 

Learning About AI by Doing – A Method Experiment in Västernorrland 

Together with the County Administrative Board of Västernorrland, we conducted a method workshop this autumn where we tried something different: an escape room–inspired workshop on AI and gender equality. 

The difference was noticeable from the very beginning. 

“You have all been summoned by the County Administrative Board of Västernorrland. We have a crisis situation. We need your help. Are you ready?” 

Something shifts in the room when participants are not handed a traditional workshop agenda — but a mission. Eyes sharpen. Conversations spark. Roles emerge naturally. Participants move from passive listeners to active problem-solvers. 

The feedback was clear: engagement increased immediately. Many described how they “lost track of time,” dared to experiment more, and talked about AI and gender equality in an entirely different way than before - while also experiencing the process as more enjoyable and stimulating. 

When AI Meets Gender Equality – For Real 

The County Administrative Board and RISE invited a broad and diverse group of participants from across Västernorrland. In the room were innovation and business support actors, civil society representatives, youth center staff, strategists from municipalities and the regional administration - around thirty people, all committed to the region’s development. 

During the workshop, participants worked with fictional but realistic AI cases linked to the County Administrative Board’s strategy A Gender-Equal Västernorrland. The work focused on three priority areas: 

• Labour market and recruitment
• Information influence and representation
• Violence, vulnerability, and power 

By opening envelopes step by step, the groups explored risks, bias, and consequences -  but also opportunities. Importantly, no one was expected to “be right.” The focus was on exploration before performance, on systems and structures rather than individuals - and on learning. 

A key shift in the methodology was that participants were not only examining AI — they were also examining their own assumptions. AI learns through patterns, just as humans do. If we fail to make those patterns visible, the technology risks cementing exactly what we are trying to change. 

Why the Escape Room Method Works for Complex AI Challenges 

Escape rooms are often used for team-building or training, but we see significant potential in applying the format to societal challenges. 

Why? 

• Gamification lowers thresholds and reduces prestige
• Time pressure creates focus and shared responsibility
• Collaboration makes complex questions manageable
• The experience stays with you - both cognitively and emotionally
• Active participation strengthens learning, not just understanding
• Increased engagement builds the willingness to continue exploring and acting on the issue 

In our method, the escape room format is not “play” for its own sake. It is a deliberately designed learning environment where participants practice becoming conscious, active, and demanding AI users, commissioners, and developers. 

From AI Crisis to System Redesign 

An important part of the workshop was the turning point: moving from identifying risks to redesigning the system. 

What would it take for AI to genuinely contribute to greater gender equality? 
Which data, criteria, processes, and follow-up mechanisms would need to change? 
And what role do individuals, organizations, and the region play? 

Here, it became clear how powerful it is when learning is combined with action. Many participants brought concrete ideas back to their organizations - but also greater confidence in continuing to explore AI critically, rather than either embracing or rejecting the technology outright. 

More Than a Method – An Invitation 

We are humble in recognizing that the method is still evolving. There is great potential to refine the narrative structure, cases, and tools. At the same time, the response clearly shows that the need for more engaging approaches is significant. 

For us at RISE, this is an example of how we can combine system innovation, inclusion, and learning in new ways. And escape room–inspired formats are far from limited to AI and gender equality - they can be applied to everything from climate and mobility to safety and skills supply. 

Perhaps it is time to unlock more societal challenges by actually stepping into them - together. 

Curious to try it? 

Contact Linn Johansson or Melina Bergström,  we would love to hear more about the challenge you would like to approach in new ways.