Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a major topic of interest not only among policymakers and in the business world, but also in the arts. As AI becomes increasingly embedded into our society, the traditional boundaries between humans and technology will be less clear. The exhibition AI: More than Human currently on at the Barbican Centre depicts the development of AI and offers a vision of the future through various art works, as well as stressing the role of Japan and Japanese culture in the historical development of AI.

In this seminar chaired by Dr Maria Chatzichristodoulou, Dr Yoichi Ochiai, a prominent Japanese media artist and scientist, will talk about his art works using AI and his wide range of projects. Dr Suzanne Livingston, curator of the Barbican exhibition, will explain how the exhibition was designed and what it tells us about AI, describing the main approaches followed and challenges encountered. Finally, Dr Drew Hemment will talk about the role of AI in the arts based on findings from his recent academic research.

This seminar has been arranged in conjunction with the Centre for Research in Digital Storymaking, London South Bank University. It will be held at the Edric Theatre, London South Bank University.

About the contributors

Dr Yoichi Ochiai is a media artist and Associate Professor at the University of Tsukuba. His work as a media artist explores themes and ideas of ‘Digital Nature’ through the lens of new technology. He combines the digital with the analogue and reality with the virtual to create a present as vital and immediate as nature itself. His work has been widely exhibited, including in the solo exhibitions “Image and Matter” (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2016); “Beauty of National Resolution ∽ End to End Transformation of Material Things ∽ Digital Nature” (Omotesando, Tokyo 2018); and “Sehnsucht Nach Masse” (Tokyo Shinagawa Seaside, 2019). He has received numerous awards including a World Technology award in 2015, the Prix Ars Electronica 2016, an Honorary Mention in the EU STARTS Prizes 2016 and Laval Virtual Awards, 2014-17. He has also been recognized as a St. Gallen Symposium Leader of Tomorrow and as one of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers.

Dr Suzanne Livingston is co-curator of the Barbican’s AI: More than Human exhibition. She has spent her career researching and questioning the entwined relationship between humans, culture and technology and the philosophical consequences emerging from that. Taking a multidisciplinary approach, Suzanne has worked across sectors in technology, arts, museums, education and business markets. As Global Principal at Wolff Olins, Suzanne develops strategy and exhibitions internationally with museum organisations such as the V&A, Whitney, ICA Boston, Qatar Museums and Southbank Centre and also with technology businesses including Sony Worldwide, Playstation and Ericsson. Suzanne received her PhD in Philosophy from Warwick University and is a founding member of the influential Cybernetic Culture Research Unit (CCRU). She continues to write collaboratively on technology, belief systems, innovation and evolution.

Dr Drew Hemment is an artist, curator, designer and academic researcher. He is Chancellor’s Fellow and Reader at Edinburgh Futures Institute and Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh. Drew convenes the Experiential AI group at Edinburgh, is Project Lead of the GROW Observatory, Founder of FutureEverything and on the Editorial Board of Leonardo. Experiential AI is a new programme on art, ethics and artificial intelligence at Edinburgh Futures Institute, Bayes Centre and Heriot-Watt Robotarium. It aims to support the creation of artistic works using machine learning algorithms and robotics, and to inspire new concepts and paradigms on ethical and responsible AI. His work has been recognised by awards including Soil Award 2019 (Winner), STARTS Prize 2018 (Honarary Mention), Kantar Information Is Beautiful Awards 2016 (Silver), Lever Prize 2010 (Winner) and Prix Ars Electronica 2008 (Honorary Mention). Please click here for a paper on Experimental AI and here for a news piece on the residency programme.

Dr Maria Chatzichristodoulou (Chair) is Associate Professor in Performance and New Media, Director of Enterprise, and Director of the Centre for Research in Digital Storymaking at the School of Arts and Creative Industries, London South Bank University. She has worked as curator, producer, performer, writer and community organiser in the UK and internationally. Maria was co-founder and co-director of the international Art and Technology Festival Medi@terra and co-artistic director of Fournos Centre for Digital Culture, both in Athens, Greece. In the UK, Maria worked as Community Participation Officer at The Albany in London (2003–5), and co-convener of The Thursday Club at Goldsmiths, University of London (2006-2009). She has taught at the University of London Colleges Birkbeck, Queen Mary and Goldsmiths, and at the University of Hull (2009-2015). Maria has published and presented her research widely, convened numerous conferences and symposia, and curated festivals and exhibitions.

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