New Exhibit at the Groningen Forum is an Exploration of Artificial Intelligence that is equal parts inspiring and terrifying
By Alexis Veenendaal
“AI: More than Human” is a large international exhibit made in cooperation with the London Barbican Centre and can be viewed in the Groninger Forum, until May 10 of this year.
The exhibit is divided into two separate floors, each with separate but related stories.
First Floor – Stories
The first floor guides you through a cacophony of sound, film, and images depicting the genesis and evolution of technology. As you walk through the exhibit, you’re most drawn to predictions of Artificial Intelligence throughout history, ranging from the disturbing (Terminator, 1984) to the creative (Blade Runner, 1982); and the revolutionary (Big Hero 6, 2014). The entire exhibit questions the future of AI, and what it means to humanity.
This portion dips into depictions of intelligence in cultures throughout history, including ancient stories and carvings, all the way through to Alan Turing’s inventions, and the IBM computer Watson (who competed in a game of Jeopardy). It contemplates the depth and breadth of robots capable of learning in the fields of maths, music, toys; household items, social interaction, sports; and even complex board games.
The exhibit itself evolves from oral stories and music, to written form, then on to film and interactive typing and touchscreen. This combination of medias and mediums keeps the storytelling fresh, and blurs the historic and spatial boundaries between exhibits.
Second Floor – Interacting
The second room of the exhibit is more interactive and is a place where one could easily spend an hour (or four!), delving into lego, video games, expression readers, and so on. This room contemplates the ethics of Artificial Intelligence and its limitations, and explores its potential in medicine, agriculture, space exploration, and even in such diverse sectors as saving the bees.
This exhibit is great for anyone interested in technology and science fiction, or is looking for an experience with fun interactive tools. AI: More than Human can be read in English and Dutch, with mostly English audio.
Finally, this exhibit lets you leave with the question, “Is AI good for humanity?”
In short, the AI: More than Human exhibit is exploratory, educational, interactive, and enjoyable for any age. I would rate the experience as a 4.5/5.
AI: More than Human
Location: The Groninger Forum
Dates: Until May 10, 2020
Price: 15 Euros, tickets available here
All images via Alexis Veenendaal
