Artists interpret AI

THE effect of artificial intelligence and robotic technologies on creative and local communities will be the focus of an impending local exhibition.

The Robots are Coming! (to Bendigo) Group Exhibition, which will be held at Dudley House in View Street, brings together artists including Lauren Starr, Andre Sardone, Sarah Wallace-Smith, Kain White, and Claire E Tennant.

Curator of the exhibition, Ivan Sun, said the showcase draws upon the interest of people in tech, business, the creative fields and the larger community, with the express goal to “kickstart a conversation.”

“Have we had anything official from the government about what our national response is to AI? Or a state response? No, nothing,” he said.

“Whereas, in fact, we were (suddenly) told one day, we’re going to lose our jobs, we’re going to be on a scrap heap, we’re going to be on universal basic income. Or, it’s going to be the very best thing that ever happened to us.

“It’s almost like the community is thrown into this event.”

Sun decided artists should start their own conversation.

“As a society, we should be having conversations like this because we don’t want the choice to be taken from us when it comes to our doorstep,” he said.

“It’s an advantage for the central Victorian community to discuss it and think about whether we want it or not.”

The finale of the exhibition will see a digital time capsule comprising of the artworks and a selection of messages from the public presented to the City of Greater Bendigo, who will be asked to seal and reopen it in 12 years’ time.

The Robots are Coming! (to Bendigo) can be viewed from 14 to 24 June between the hours of 11am and 5pm at Dudley House, 60 View Street.