Hegemony eroding: a hands-on GenAI workshop on how to excavate diversity from latent space

 

Generative AI models ingest huge datasets gathered all over the web. Hence, they reflect decades of western cultural dominance. Yet, there are cracks through which diversity seeps through. I invite you to explore those cracks and to reflect on the blurred line between prejudice and representation.

 

Please bring your own laptop

Workshop duration: 4 hours

 

 

 

image & video generation with generative AI

cultural representation & bias in AI

AI as a tool for exploring societal question

society’s digital footprint

 

 

Introduction (30min)

We start with the basics of GenAI models and latent space. Then discuss how to find non-western motifs (motif meaning a – often culturally resonant – recurring visual theme, figure, or pattern) using input images and culturally neutral prompting. Then, we dive into our understanding of online representation of cultures, brainstorm new motifs and ways to access them.

 

Media generation part 1 (60min)**

At this point, we split into groups and generate images and videos using the services listed below. The goal is to find the new motifs and reproduce them across different services.

 

Reflection (15min)

At the halfpoint, we get together and discuss what we have generated so far, what new prompting strategies we can try going forward.

 

Media generation part 2 (60min)

More image and video generation.

 

Compiling results (15min)

Each group individually reviews the results of their exploration, and compiles them into a quick presentation.

 

Conclusion (60min)

Group by group we present our results, and together we assess how comprehensible and reproducible our new motifs are, entering a discussion on legitimate cultural representation vs western prejudice. Finally, we decide which motifs and pictures should enter the Werkschau.

 

Services

Runway ML, Krea AI, Vidu AI, Luma Dream Machine, LTX Studio, Stable Diffusion, ChatGPT, Midjourney, etc.

 

Hegemony eroding is an ongoing art project started during the D#AVANTGARDE GenAI Lab at the art&tech Hackathon at Schmiede24.

 

more about Karim Hamdi  and hegemony-eroding.make-gyver.de