Algorithms as Pets and Politicians (Workshop)
Using Art Practice to Reconsider the Politics of Machine Learning
Machine learning algorithms play an increasingly important and dangerous role in contemporary politics, making decisions about what political messages we see, fueling clickbait culture, and spreading fake news. In this workshop, participants will consider the design of machine learning systems as an artistic question. In a hands-on activity, they will interact with a web-based “pet” algorithm, training it to embody certain political or philosophical views. Other activities will include responding to as video installation about algorithmic logic and discussing the influence of machine learning on both contemporary aesthetics and politics.
Main Events (Registration Required; Sign Up Here)
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM --> Politics and Algorithmic Logic
12:30 – 2:00 --> Training an Algopet
2:00 – 3:00 --> The Tamagotchi Effect
5:00 – 6:00 --> Machine Learning + Art Mixer (No Registration Required)
Workshop Leaders:
Alex Juhasz (Chair, Film Department, Brooklyn College)
Orr Menirom (Independent Artist)
Kyle Booten (Postdoctoral Fellow, Neukom Institute)
*Sponsored by Digital Humanities and Social Engagement and the Neukom Institute for Computational Science*
*The space is not ADA compliant. Please contact for special arrangements.*