This is the last article exploring our time at CPDP.ai this year. It takes a different point of view on the conference, focusing on one of the aspects that makes CPDP unique: its multidisciplinary approach and its emphasis on the arts. The article talks briefly about some of the more artistic moments of this year’s conference: Vladan Joler’s maps of technological evolution and AI systems, the fabricated exhibition by Inholland University of Applied Sciences, and the hands-on workshop Playing with Politics: Building Digital, Media, and Political Games.
By Michele C. Tripeni
One of the fundamental characteristics of CPDP is its multidisciplinary nature and its emphasis on the arts. This year in particular, arts were at the centre of different initiatives such as the CPDP Culture Club and Avatar.fm. Art was also the highlight of the conference’s opening night. CPDP.ai 2024 was opened by Vladan Joler, a professor at the University of Novi Sad whose work explores the intersection of technology and society, focusing on issues such as internet privacy, network neutrality, and security threats. But Vladan defines himself as a sort of detective who investigates technological systems and relationships through cartography. His work visualises technological spaces from the point of view of a user, a powerless outsider. Something he calls counter-cartography, as cartography is usually conducted from a position of power. Through his oeuvre, Joler sheds light on the complex systems that govern our digital lives and advocates for more ethical and sustainable approaches to technology.
He presented his work Anatomy of an AI System, a collaboration with Kate Crawford that maps the entire lifecycle of an Amazon Echo device to reveal the complex network of resources, labour, and data behind AI technologies. It visualises the journey from raw material extraction, through manufacturing and distribution, to data collection and disposal, highlighting the environmental and social impacts at each stage. By examining the global supply chains involved in producing AI devices, the project draws attention to the ethical and environmental costs that are hidden from consumers. ”Anatomy of an AI system” raises critical questions about privacy, surveillance, and corporate responsibility: it invites viewers to consider the broader implications of AI technology on society and the planet, advocating for more sustainable and equitable practices in the tech industry.
Vladan also showcased his project Calculating Empires. A large-scale research visualisation that examines the evolution of technical and social structures over five centuries, emphasising the interplay between colonialism, militarization, automation, and systems of power. The project aims to reveal how historical forces of control and classification continue to shape contemporary technological systems. Through themes of communication, computation, classification, and control, this work gives a visual historical contextualization for understanding today's technological landscape and how these entrenched systems might be challenged and transformed.
Another highlight of CPDP.ai 2024, fabricated is an award-winning international exhibition created by the Sustainable Media Lab at Inholland University of Applied Sciences. It aims to promote digital literacy through interactive games and installations focused on AI, misinformation, content moderation, and digital democracy. The exhibition begins with Alex, an AI avatar newscaster, who welcomes participants, challenging visitors to question the authenticity and reliability of AI-generated content and setting the tone for the rest of the exhibition. In The Personal Press, participants turn physical dials to alter the tone and bias of news articles in real-time, demonstrating the speed and impact of generative AI on journalism. Visitors can reflect on media bias and the ethical implications of AI in news production. Another installation, developed with Agence France-Presse (AFP), Verify This! presents real-world posts with misinformation alongside journalist fact-checks, highlighting the complexity of fact-checking and the effort required for accurate reporting in the digital age. In Moderator Mayhem participants play content moderators in a fast-paced video game, where they have to decide whether flagged posts should be removed or remain online. The game explores the ethical challenges moderators face in balancing freedom of expression and preventing harm. The Influence Industry, developed with Tactical Tech, is a Connect 4-inspired game that teaches how digital tools are used to influence voter behaviour. Finally, Who Targets Me? educates participants about targeted advertising and facial recognition technology. Visitors can see in real-time how their appearance is interpreted by targeting algorithms to discern age and political opinions.
Andy Sanchez (Inholland University of Applied Sciences) and Amber Macintyre (Tactical Tech), also behind fabricated, were responsible for the workshop “Playing with Politics: Building Digital, Media, and Political Games”. The workshop examined the innovative use of games and play as tools to explore politics and information. Activities ranged from creating tin foil sculptures to illustrate desirable and undesirable values in political candidates, to an extensive playthrough of Moderator Mayhem. Throughout the workshop, participants were presented with the theories and practices of serious play and serious games as tools for education and research.
References
Conquer - Enclose - Extract – Exploit. Territories and resources in the age of AI – Vladan Joler (University of Novi Sad)
Fabricated – Inholland University of Applied Sciences
Playing with Politics: Building Digital, Media, and Political Games – Andy Sanchez, (Inholland University of Applied Sciences); Amber Macintyre (Tactical Tech)
