Behind the Screens

Behind the Screens

Final degree project

  • Sofia Mari Surkau
  •  MAIAD 25

Watt it takes to power artificial intelligence. Remember to turn the lights off! Is a phrase that feels distant from our current frictionless AI interactions, as AI’s energy consumption is purposefully hidden away by tech companies that power them.  

The interactive installation “Behind the Screens” shows the watt it takes to power AI, making the intangible energy consumption visible through light bulbs.

First exhibited in Les Tres Xemeneies, an old power plant that once provided Barcelona with electricity, it’s a fitting home for an installation about AI’ energy use. It first represents individual AI interactions in light bulbs, and second accumulates everybody’s interactions on a Screen, shifting the focus towards the collective energy usage. And third, references the light bulbs with an artifact containing vinyl dots visualizing data points of the underlying research.

author/s

Sofia Mari Surkau

Munich DE

MAIAD 25

Tutor/s

Maria Moreso

Carla de la Torre

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