Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is pleased to announce Debates in AI, a groundbreaking symposium that delves into the multifaceted dimensions of artificial intelligence (AI) and its profound impact on creative disciplines. Unraveling the intricate intersections of art, design, technology and culture, the symposium aims to foster conversations that critically examine the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and the fields of art and design.

Topics:

• Day 1
  • Kate Crawford and Ben Davis: Artnet News National Art Critic and author Ben Davis will lead a conversation with Kate Crawford, a leading scholar of AI, artist, and author of “Atlas of AI: Power, Politics, and the Planetary Costs of Artificial Intelligence.”
• Day 2
  • What’s Work Got to Do With It? Author Brian Merchant (“Blood in the Machine: The Origins of the Rebellion Against Big Tech”) and artist/journalist Molly Crabapple (“Brothers of the Gun” and “Drawing Blood”) in a conversation moderated by Eric Telfort (Department Head, RISD Illustration).
  • AI + the Artist: Contemporary artists Trevor Paglen, Stephanie Dinkins, and Elisa Giardina Papa will each discuss how their work engages machine learning technology. A conversation and Q&A will follow their talks.
  • Keynote Address: Cory Doctorow (“Chokepoint Capitalism”) on copyright and AI, followed by a conversation and Q&A moderated by Artnet News National Art Critic and author Ben Davis.
  • Ebrah k’Dabri – “I create like the word”: A screening of videos by artist Jon Rafman. Rafman will present his AI manifesto, followed by a conversation and Q&A with conference co-curator Marco Roso (DIS).
  • Poetics of Computation: Curator Christiane Paul and educators Taeyoon Choi and Dorothy R. Santos present and discuss the poetics of computation and computational literacy. Clement Valla (RISD Professor and Computation, Technology, and Culture coordinator) will moderate the conversation.