Semester: M.2.1
Course: Innovation through Art & Design
For this semester course, my group and I designed an art installation about AI for the Neuron building at the TU/e. The artwork responded to the typical portrayal of AI as futuristic humanoid robots and glowing blue graphics. Such depictions feed into sensationalized narratives, creating exaggerated expectations and overshadowing practical, everyday applications of AI [21]. Our artwork was made from paper, as we compared the rise of AI to the invention of the printing press. People were once afraid of the printing press when it was first introduced, but now it is a ubiquitous technology, seamlessly integrated into our routines and enhancing our lives in small, everyday ways [22]. AI is following a similar path: quietly operating in the background and subtly impacting our daily lives.
The installation can still be found in the Neuron building. To interact with it, visitors select one of three color-coded punch cards and insert it into a reader. The card’s information is processed by a neural network model, which visualizes the machine learning algorithm’s activity through dynamic color changes and node movements.
The design team with the finished artwork.
Working on the electronics and assembling the mechanism components.
The inspiration for the artwork: a visualisation of a neural network with inputs, outputs, and a hidden layer in between.
My development
A material exploration formed the basis of this project. At the start of the semester, my group and I each selected and experimented with a material we deemed ‘mundane.’ All of us independently chose paper, which then became the foundation of the project. I developed in the area of C&A, as I once again experienced how a medium can convey a message and how this idea can serve as the conceptual core of a project. We also conducted research into societal attitudes towards AI and worked with the external stakeholder artist Martijn van Boven, which strengthened the expertise areas of U&S and B&E. At this stage of my Master’s, I felt I was lacking in the expertise areas of T&R and MD&C. I therefore deliberately created space to further develop these skills. While working on the electrical components of our artwork, I learned that Arduinos are not as daunting as they seemed. I had learned more from previous engineering courses than I initially thought. I gave myself time and space to learn and make mistakes. The resources available at Innovation Space were also a big help. The people there were patient and supportive, and being able to borrow and test electrical components in the workshop was both beneficial and time-saving. In the end, I feel proud whenever I activate our artwork and see the movement we created, and I won’t hesitate to step into the role of electrical engineer in future projects.
Dana Starmans 