purpleSTARS: A creative intervention into AI's Algorithms through co-production of a live ‘AI, sense of self’ portrait

We propose an exploration into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), sensory art, and portraiture, with a focus on inclusive research and sensory art co-production.
AI algorithms often lack the nuanced understanding of diverse human experiences, particularly those of marginalised communities. We aim to challenge and reshape these algorithms to be more inclusive by engaging with them, so AI becomes more reflective of diversity, and becomes less biased.
We plan to co-create a series of experimental AI generated portraits that reflect on our sensory Sense of Self, highlighting our sense of touch, smell, taste which AI cannot (yet) reproduce as well as our senses of sound and sight.

Objectives:

1. Empowerment Through Artistic Expression: Provide individuals with learning disabilities and differences with a platform for creative expression and agency through inclusive research and co-production.

2. Critique and Intervention: Encourage critical reflection on the biases and limitations of AI algorithms and explore how sensory art can intervene to address these issues.

3. Co-Production and Collaboration: Facilitate collaborative processes between individuals with lived experience of learning disabilities, and conference participants to feed AI algorithms with diverse, sensory experiences and personal narratives.

4. Knowledge Sharing and Community Building: Foster an inclusive dialogue among diverse people to share insights and best practices for inclusive AI design.

The session:

Conference participants will be invited to co-create ‘AI, sense of self’ portraits in groups with purpleSTARS. The space will be set up similar to a traditional life drawing room but with a 360 camera at the centre instead of a life model.

Easels/stands will face into the camera with screens to display AI generated imagery. Traditional art and sensory materials, highlighting touch, smell and taste will also be available circling the camera. The portraits will be captured by the 360 camera where everyone and everything is included.

We hope the session will foster collaborations for future inclusive research in AI design, with a focus on centring the voices and experiences of people with learning disabilities and differences, fostering more ethical, inclusive, and human-centred AI systems.