Art meets artificial intelligence
#SOPHYGRAY
Initial Situation
SOPHYGRAY is a solo exhibition by the artist Nadja Verena Marcin which looks at algorithms and technologies controlled by artificial intelligence from a feminist perspective. The central component of this exhibition is an audio bot that has the ability to speak live with visitors.
In contrast to well-known bots such as Amazon’s Alexa, Microsoft’s Cortana or Apple’s Siri, where the focus is on practical use, these conversations can be about identity, role models, art or feminism. The bot’s perspectives and viewpoints are based on the work of important theorists, such as the author and activist Audre Lorde, the anthropologist Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing, and the scientist Donna Haraway. Using a combination of philosophical, flirtatious, absurd and informative elements, #SOPHYGRAY raises public awareness of clichés and ingrained patterns of language and behavior. In particular, it critically questions the portrayal and use of female voices in intelligent systems. A possible lack of creativity, empathy and critical awareness is addressed.
The audio bot is part of an expansive mixed-media installation inspired by female robots in films such as Metropolis, Ex Machina and Westworld. The installation features two projections showing the artist in a double role as fembot and human.
The result is an open dialog for visitors. The bot’s knowledge of various aspects of our society communicates itself. This subliminal nature makes it easy to make contact with #SOPHYGRAY and serves as a catalyst to open up spaces that were previously closed.
Approach
Novatec was commissioned to implement its technical components. This included processing visitors’ speech, AI for answering their questions, voice output and a front end for operating the installation.
Novatec selected Google Dialogflow Voicebot as the implementation basis for the backend, which includes speech processing, AI and speech generation. Its advanced AI enables the cloud service to accurately and efficiently recognize intent – an end user’s intention for a round of conversation – and context, even in complex use cases.
On the front end, Novatec developed an app for a tablet based on Android. UI design was done in close cooperation with the artist and is inspired by the HAL 9000 computer from the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Results
Building on Novatec’s experience with AI-controlled bots and mobile app development, the installation was successfully rolled out within a few weeks.
With predefined agents for the backend, Novatec created conditions that enabled the artist and her team to optimally capture the basics of the multi-level conversations. Based on visitors’ use of the bot, its AI is constantly being expanded and now comprises more than 400 intents. An English-language version of the installation is planned.
As a result, #SOPHYGRAY reveals how controlled a technologically produced reality can be. In a positive and stimulating manner, the audience is encouraged to talk to the AI-assisted audio bot and have conversations on the topics of identity, role ascriptions, art and feminism.
The project points to our own human intelligence and strength in comparison with a humanized AI. At the same time, the audio bot illustrates what role and position women play in society and how they have been represented in history. The installation picks up on this development, makes people aware of it and raises awareness in order to create better understanding between women and men. The combination of AI and art was uncharted territory for everyone involved. However, the impressive result shows the huge range of applications for AI-assisted chat and audio bots.
Artificial Intelligence
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The Client
Nadja Verena Marcin is a performance and video artist, filmmaker and writer who explores gender, history, morality, psychology and human behavior through an intersectional analysis of feminism and emotional architecture in a theatrical and cinematic context. In her work, she examines representations of women in media and historical contexts in order to illustrate ideological systems of power and the psychological effects of their creation.
Peter Friese is an art historian, curator and museum director. In 1988, he took over artistic direction of the Kunstverein Ruhr in Essen, which is dedicated to contemporary fine art. The approximately 120 members of the association can look back on 70 years of eventful history.
Beeindruckend an #SOPHYGRAY ist die Lernfähigkeit – während sie zu Beginn sehr naiv war und auf viele Fragen keine Antwort wusste, hat sie durch die Interaktion mit dem Publikum inzwischen sehr viel dazugelernt. Diese laufende Verbesserung der KI wurde erst möglich durch die Kooperation mit Novatec.
Peter Friese
Künstlerischer Leiter
Besonders hervorzuheben in der Zusammenarbeit mit dem Novatec-Team war die humorvolle und entspannte Arbeitsatmosphäre. Gleichzeitig zeigen zielführende Lösungsvorschläge der Novatec ein großes Verständnis für die Aufgabenstellung. Die Zusammenarbeit auf Augenhöhe war eine wesentliche Grundlage für den Erfolg der Realisierung.
Nadja Verena Marcin
Künstlerin
