THE DATA SHADOW THEATRE

What makes AI uniquely problematic as a technology deployed across all sectors is its opacity. The spread of surveillance cameras in the UK was visible to all, especially those that might have felt targeted. But how do you know you’ve been sorted by a system that even its designers may not understand (AI outputs are often not ‘explainable’)? How do you converse with a neighbour when they see entirely different news feeds? The impact is greatest on those who are already vulnerable, possibly in multiple ways.

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 17:00 – 19:00 GMT * Closing event * All welcome * Register at Eventbrite for free entry
This event celebrates the completion of two series of community workshops that explored public attitudes towards AI through creative tools. Participants were drawn from clients of mental health charity MIND, and teenage users of the intervention and harm reduction charity Streets of Growth.

Workshops AIkonic and Knowing AI, Knowing U
Part of the ESRC-funded Public Voices in AI initiative, this series of 12 workshops explored beliefs, hopes and fears around deployment of AI and related technologies.

Data Shadow Theatre
The groups explored how AI affects their access to information and services, and to perhaps reimagine it, through the collaborative creation of a shadow performance on film. Through the process, we identify and articulate individuals’ concerns, while the film becomes an advocacy tool.

We will publish the videos, artworks and an article online – watch this space!

A project by The People Speak and artist-researchers Manu Luksch and Mukul Patel.
Funded by the Public Voices in AI and supported by Responsible AI UK.
This project informs research by the University of Sheffield and the Alan Turing Institute.