Local Disturbances

In this episode, we recount the experiences and insights gained from the Ferment AI residency, a year-long project involving nine artists exploring artificial intelligence and cognitive technologies in their creative practices. The episode reflects on various events, including a showcase in Berlin attended by approximately 100 people, featuring works in progress, a live performance, and impromptu food and drink arrangements due to a last-minute cancellation by our caterer.

We delve into the residency's participation in the AI Anarchies Autumn school at the Akademie der Künste, highlighting the critical perspectives on technology's trajectory and the emphasis on reimagining AI ethics through diverse community engagement. The narrative contrasts the vibe-centric culture of their event venue in the Pfefferberg cultural quarter with the more institutional and academic atmosphere of the AI Anarchies school, noting the challenges and revelations of navigating different ideological spaces.

Ferment AI is described as an eclectic group without a rigid ideological stance, focused on the materiality of AI and fostering a culture of care, accountability, and openness to difference. The residency's journey is portrayed as one of collective sense-making, resisting predefined ideologies, and embracing a polyphonic approach to understanding and engaging with AI and its societal impacts.

The episode also touches on our philosophical influence by anarchist thought, specifically the concepts of transvaluation and prefiguration, applying these ideas to our work with AI to advocate for diversity in approaches and resist authoritarian impositions.

Concluding with reflections on the importance of grounding AI in care and curiosity, we announce the retirement of the Ferment name and expresses a desire to join another residency, seeking recommendations.

Sound design by Koohyar Habibi a

Produced by Kasra Goodarznezhad

Words by Jerrold McGrath.

In this episode, we introduce a unique audio play that merges artificial intelligence discourse with the world of tabletop role-playing games. The podcast, stemming from a project initiated in 2022 and seeking further development in 2023, features a diverse group of experts—a business leader, an artist, an ethicist, and an academic—playing a modified version of the 1980s classic game Paranoia! in an audio series format. This creative endeavor was produced as part of the Goethe-Institut Toronto's Algorithmic Culture programming and aims to explore collective anxieties about automation and AI in a fun, engaging, and unorthodox manner.

The choice of Paranoia!, a game set in a dystopian future controlled by an all-powerful AI, serves as a metaphor for current concerns about the pervasive influence of algorithmic culture. This culture, where big data and computational logic reshape our cultural experiences, is critiqued for potentially reducing human agency in favor of optimization and control by a technical elite. Through the gameplay, the participants delve into themes of autonomy, identity, and community, all within the context of a society heavily influenced by artificial intelligence.

This initiative sought to bypass traditional polarized debates on AI by fostering an improvised, dialogic exploration of AI's societal implications. The podcast aimed to highlight human creativity and adaptability as counterpoints to the rigid, optimizing logic of algorithms, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives and dialogic encounters in understanding and responding to the challenges posed by algorithmic systems.

Despite its innovative approach and the engagement it fostered among participants, the podcast did not achieve widespread popularity.

"The Computer is Your Redacted" represents an attempt to use artistic and playful methods to provoke thoughtful discussion on the role of AI in our lives, advocating for a more nuanced and human-centered engagement with technological advancements.

Today's episode discusses an interactive art project presented by UKAI Projects at the Hebbel am Ufer (HAU) theatre in Berlin during the Spy on Me Festival #4. This event was part of STO Union's takeover of the venue. The project involved inviting audience members to share their hopes and fears with an AI on stage, which would then project these emotions onto giant screens for everyone to see. The responses also prompted a language model to generate its own responses, which were broadcast in the theatre before being deleted, allowing a new cycle to begin.

The AI, developed through UKAI Projects by Dan Tapper and refined by Willem Deisinger, interacted with approximately 100 people directly and received additional responses through cards and an online stream. Initially, the AI generated disturbing responses, but it eventually expressed sorrow over a dying planet, inviting the audience to empathize.

We reflect on the varied reactions of participants, from those eager to share multiple times to one woman who initially hesitated but later contributed anonymously. Some attendees were skeptical or indifferent towards technology, contrasting it with others who found the experience to be a meaningful way to express and release their emotions.

Sound by Koohyar Habibi

Production by Kasra Goodarznezhad

Words by Jerrold McGrath

This episode explores the impact of algorithmic technologies on culture production and appreciation, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding beyond binary categorizations of good and evil. It draws an analogy with the Japanese practice of 'ukai' to illustrate how categorizing experiences can limit understanding, similar to the limitations imposed by algorithmic systems.

The episode critiques the polarized discourse often found in discussions about big data and surveillance, where narratives are simplified into heroes and villains. The speaker, Jerrold McGrath, argues for the introduction of ambiguity and wonder into our encounters with these technologies, challenging the reduction of complex issues to abstract ethics. We advocate for engaging with the world directly, rather than through oversimplified maps of understanding, by:

We highlight several projects that embody these principles, aiming to decentralize decision-making from experts to individuals and communities. We stress the importance of local knowledge and resistance in understanding and responding to algorithmic systems, arguing against the universalization of responses across different cultural contexts.

The episode also touches on the aesthetics of AI-generated art, critiquing how capitalist assumptions shape our understanding of art and technology. We call for a broader inclusion of perspectives in shaping the use of these technologies, suggesting that art can serve as a medium for exploring and understanding the complexities of our relationship with algorithmic systems.

Produced by Kasra Goodarznezhad

Sound by Koohyar Habibi

Words by Jerrold McGrath

Most AI is being developed with the values of growth and efficiency (scale) in mind. Things are designed to go faster and bigger. Even in more ‘socially minded’ solutions, the intent is overwhelmingly to optimize otherwise scarce resources. Other values — such as love, community, compassion, or autonomy — are being marginalized or excluded outright through both the technical design of systems and the institutions that determine the direction of development. We are seeking to increase access to algorithmic tools and techniques so that other values and moral positions can benefit from these advances. We also seek to interrogate the hegemony of scale as a moral position in the world around us.

AI ethics too often relies on abstracted arguments that quickly become polarized. We confuse our maps with the terrain. Making sense of AI will require direct engagement with experiences of AI so that we can individually and collectively determine what things “mean”. Ethics can then extend from a grounded experience of sense-making rather than from debate of abstracted (and often Western) principles.

By turning over decisions to institutions and automated systems we forego our own potential for grace and care for others. We lose our position as subjects and quickly are re-framed as objects in need of optimization. We are less concerned with machines that think like humans and more worried about the demands on humans to behave more like machines.

Sound by Koohyar Habibi

Produced by Kasra Goodarznezhad

Words by Jerrold McGrath

In this episode, we explore the impact of the war on individuals and the ongoing pattern of "mobilized mistrust" in international relations, particularly in the context of the rise of China and nationalism. We look at the similarities in AI development between China and Western nations, cautioning against conflating governmental actions with the sentiments of the general population. We highlight the growing anti-Chinese sentiment in Canada, exacerbated by COVID-19, and warn against the dangers of 'othering'.

China's significant advancements in AI are acknowledged, and we advocate for mutual learning and collaboration between nations. We reference David Graeber and David Wingrow's concept of cultural differentiation and stress the importance of shared understanding and exchange in the face of global changes.

The Aiiiii Art Center in Shanghai is introduced as a space dedicated to AI and artistic exploration. The center's first exhibition, "The Book of Sand," is mentioned, showcasing the collaborative efforts between humans and AI in art. We conclude by discussing the influence of national ideologies on AI development, urging recognition of the emerging 'unofficial ideologies' that challenge dominant narratives and promote diverse perspectives in AI applications.

Story by Jerrold McGrath

Sound by Koohyar Habibi

Production by Kasra Goodarznezhad

This short discusses the impact and potential of artificial intelligence (AI) on creative fields and storytelling. It begins with an analogy to the early days of television, where cameras simply captured radio broadcasts, highlighting how new technologies often start by mimicking existing forms before finding their unique applications.

The speaker notes that AI has predominantly been used for solving problems identified by legacy institutions, like corporations and governments, focusing on efficiency, growth, and administrative tasks. However, AI's potential in artistic and creative endeavors is vast and largely untapped. The episode suggests that the artistic forms that will thrive with AI will likely be very different from those we're familiar with today, leading to new combinations and integrations of content and form.

Examples of AI applications in arts and culture are discussed, such as China's development of AI-driven holographic avatars for book authors and popular characters, holographic newscasters, and the use of AI in augmented and virtual reality for real-time, generative content adaptation.

The podcast also covers the work of UKAI Projects, which focuses on creating new digital formats for cultural production. This includes projects that reimagine traditional art forms, like Central Asian calligraphy in augmented reality, South Asian dance using real-time gesture recognition, and experiencing Taiko drumming through haptic feedback suits.

The opportunities for innovation with AI in the arts are immense, but many organizations prioritize institutional interests. The speaker emphasizes the need to explore and develop AI in ways that align with diverse values and visions for the world.

The episode also touches on the speaker's personal interest in analog games and how they can interact with AI and algorithmic language models. This includes considering how AI might transform our understanding of real-world games and the assumptions embedded in language models.

However, the podcast also acknowledges potential downsides, such as the exploitation of players in blockchain gaming. It contrasts this with more optimistic developments like artist collectives and DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) supporting communities through mutual aid.

The episode concludes with the notion that the future of AI in art and storytelling is unpredictable. It could range from intelligent holograms in advertising to applications that reconnect us with the physical world. The key, according to the speaker, is to actively participate in shaping AI's development to ensure it aligns with our values and the kind of world we want to create.

Sound by Koohyar Habibi

Production by Kasra Goodarznezhad

Words by Jerrold McGrath

This short reflects on the journey of UKAI Projects, who are not AI experts, into the world of AI and art. They initially engaged with this field through a partnership with the AI Impact Alliance and Akoulina Connell, leading to the delivery of workshops across Canada.

The speakers express a discomfort with being forced into "official" ideologies and see AI as amplifying these at the expense of alternative perspectives. They critique the binary viewpoints often presented in discussions about AI, arguing for a more nuanced and diverse understanding of the technology.

A talk by Noah Levenson in 2021 had a significant impact on them, emphasizing that AI is not a mature field and is often gatekept by those who benefit from its inaccessibility. Levenson advises against following the prescribed paths in AI, encouraging unique perspectives instead. He argues that complex challenges in AI are based on simpler concepts that can be understood with dedication and research.

The episode also touches on the early days of photography as a parallel to the current state of AI, suggesting that AI is at a similar stage where its full creative potential is yet to be realized.

The speakers advocate for a personal approach to AI, bringing individual passions and perspectives to the field. They describe their own journey as one of constant learning and exploration, characterized by a beginner's confidence and excitement. They share their growing insights, both technical and thematic, acknowledging that their understanding is still evolving.

They express concern about how AI might reinforce dominant ideologies and stress the importance of using AI to challenge and interrupt these narratives. Their goal is to create art that celebrates moments that complicate and disrupt conventional narratives.

The episode concludes with an acknowledgement of the difficulties in understanding AI but emphasizes its accessibility. The speakers appreciate the support they've received from more experienced individuals in the AI community, highlighting the collaborative nature of their learning journey in AI.

Sound by Koohyar Habibi

Production by Kasra Goodarznezhad

Words by Jerrold McGrath

This short explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and art, emphasizing the need for art that challenges and diverges from "official" ideologies amplified by AI. It discusses the historical context of art as a means to question and reimagine societal norms, drawing inspiration from the concept of carnival as described by Mikhail Bakhtin.

Bakhtin's idea of the carnivalesque is central to the discussion. In historical carnivals, societal rules were temporarily suspended, hierarchies inverted, and the grotesque celebrated. These events allowed for liberation from established orders and hierarchies, fostering renewal and change. The newsletter suggests that modern equivalents like Burning Man or Mardi Gras have deviated from this original concept, often reinforcing rather than challenging societal norms.

The newsletter argues that the art needed today should resemble the traditional carnival in its ability to suspend and challenge established ideologies. It should be an immersive experience that integrates art and life, removes social hierarchies, and promotes community and renewal. This type of art would not just be observed but lived in, offering spaces for physical and aesthetic reintegration of the community.

The speaker expresses a desire for art that creates opportunities for debasing and suspending official ideologies. This approach to art is seen as particularly relevant in a technology-driven world where performance and observation are ubiquitous. The newsletter questions the relevance of traditional art models based on a stage and a paying audience and seeks new forms of social architecture that emphasize communal participation and experience.

The author invites readers to share their thoughts on what kinds of art are necessary in the current technological and social landscape

Sound by Koohyar Habibi

Production by Kasra Goodarznezhad.

Words by Jerrold McGrath

"Episode 12: Make it Weirder" from "Local Disturbances: Shorts" discusses the role of creativity, particularly through the concept of 'play', in the context of artificial intelligence and cultural dynamics. The episode reflects on the importance of decentralizing power and fostering local solutions, guided by autonomy and moral virtue, especially in the face of challenges like COVID-19, climate change, and inequality.

The narrative critiques the tendency to rely on machines for decision-making due to a feeling of inadequacy in facing collective challenges. It emphasizes the need for diverse viewpoints and the value of conversations, even when they are difficult.

Ferment AI, a key focus of the episode, is a residency program that received numerous applications. The program aims to equip artists with skills in AI, fostering iterative prototyping and research into the cultural implications of automated systems. Notable is the involvement of mentor Noah Levenson, who brings a diverse background in AI and creative projects.

The Diasporic AI project is highlighted as an initiative offering micro-residencies in various global locations. It aims to develop symbolic systems and languages that do not centre on Western ideological assumptions, thereby enhancing global understanding and governance of AI.

The episode also features the Tumaini Festival in Malawi, an event that exemplifies cultural collaboration and diversity. The festival serves as a platform for the Diasporic AI project, aiming to engage a broad community in conversations about AI and its implications.

Overall, the episode calls for a collaborative and decentralized approach to exploring AI, encouraging participation from diverse communities and perspectives. It advocates for 'making it weirder' – embracing unconventional ideas and approaches to better understand and govern AI technologies.

Words by Jerrold McGrath

Production by Kasra Goodarznezhad

Sound by Koohyar Habibi