Extended Intelligence
Last updated
Last updated
This seminar about Extended Intelligence is divided into two parts:
In the first part, we will collaboratively explore Artificial Intelligence, analyzing its impacts, its implications in design, and its limitations in the context of the climate emergency. Through lectures, screenings, debates, group readings, and a design fiction lab, we will decode dominant AI narratives using Social-Ecological-Technological Systems theories.
In the second part, we will focus on AI and contemporary visual culture. Applying the concepts we’ve learned, we’ll gain practical skills with tools and techniques. Working in small groups, we will create a speculative experiment to present at the end of the seminar.
On the first day, we had the introductory class with a lecture by Pau Artigas on the theme Critical Introduction to AI Systems, Narratives, and Imaginaries in a State of Climate Emergency. It was very interesting, and I learned a lot about how much pollution Artificial Intelligence can actually cause.
On the second day, we attended a morning presentation titled Materiality of the Digital Infrastructures of artificial intelligence. It explored questions related to ecology and social issues. In the afternoon, we listened to a talk by Gustavo Nogueira de Menezes on the theme of AI temporality. Although the topic was very interesting, I found it a bit too philosophical for my taste.
The third day of the Extended Intelligence course focused on a critical examination of Artificial Intelligence systems, their applications, and their implications for design practices and society. The session began with in-class screenings and a debate exploring the broad impacts of AI, ranging from the physical infrastructure of data centers to essential human rights concerns. Participants delved into the hidden material realities behind the metaphor of the "cloud," emphasizing the significant environmental and human resources required to sustain these systems. Insights from critical data center studies highlighted five key dimensions : earth, water, heat, energy, and labor shedding light on the ecological and social costs of these technologies. Additionally, the day included the Design Fiction Lab, where participants proposed experimental approaches to interrogate and reimagine AI's role in society. The discussion also featured an analysis of the "Cartography of Generative AI" by Estampa, which mapped the landscape of generative AI systems and offered deeper insights into their cultural and functional impacts. This combination of critical exploration and creative storytelling emphasized the importance of engaging thoughtfully with AI to foster a more informed and responsible approach to its integration into design and society.
On the fourth day, we explored the various local tools available to us for working with Artificial Intelligence. This included tools for generating language models (LLMs) and tools for creating images. The session also featured short presentations where participants shared key learnings and insights gained from the previous class, fostering a collaborative reflection on the concepts and applications discussed so far.
During the following days, we worked on developing an idea for an Artificial Intelligence system. Once our idea was approved by the instructors, we were tasked with bringing it to life using APIs and coding. To facilitate this, we were provided with access keys to use APIs on Replicate for free. For my project, I collaborated with Davis and Hanna. Below, you will find the project explanation document, the presentation slides, and the demonstration video.
