Renowned artist Refik Anadol showcased how generative AI could revolutionise perceptions of the physical and virtual worlds during his keynote speech at MIT’s Generative AI Week. From visualizing coral reefs to supporting neurodiverse communities, Anadol’s projects display the diverse applications of AI in art and science.
Artist Refik Anadol delivered a keynote speech at MIT’s Generative AI Week on November 29, 2023, highlighting how AI, particularly generative AI, could transform perceptions of the physical and virtual worlds. Speaking to a packed Kresge Auditorium, Anadol showcased various projects from his studio that integrate generative AI and data visualization. These projects aim to change how people view their surroundings by using data from sources like real-time weather, climate changes, and historical architecture.
One notable project visualized coral reefs using a dataset of 100 million images and generative AI to raise awareness about climate change. Another project used real-time climate data to create digital patterns projected onto Barcelona’s Casa Batlló, with proceeds supporting neurodiverse communities. Anadol also explored the neurological impact of Alzheimer’s by visualizing EEG and fMRI data in a multisensory art exhibit.
In addition to Anadol’s presentation, the event featured discussions on AI’s implications across various fields. Cathy Wu, Assistant Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, discussed using generative AI for synthetic data creation to improve self-driving cars, traffic modeling, and zoning regulations. Marzyeh Ghassemi, Assistant Professor in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, emphasized the importance of diverse data in healthcare AI to prevent biased outcomes.
The series of panels and presentations at MIT aimed to engage the community in critical discussions on the potential and challenges of generative AI across different sectors.
