AIxDESIGN, a global community dedicated to critical AI research, has published a research-backed playbook to assist users in creating improved images of artificial intelligence. This guide focuses on remixing free and openly licensed images and does not rely on AI image-generation tools.
Producing accurate or context-appropriate visuals of AI can be a complex task without access to skilled illustrators or a diverse range of editable imagery. To address this, AIxDESIGN, in partnership with Netherlands Institute for Sound & Vision with inspiration from Better Images of AI and support from We and AI have released a playbook as a guide to address this challenge by working with free images from consented archives around the world and artists immersed in expressing their experiences and understanding of the technology.
The playbook explains how to work with archive images and explores approaches to visually representing artificial intelligence in meaningful ways. It builds on insights from Better Images of AI: A Guide for Users and Creators, which stresses the importance of accuracy in public communication about these technologies.
Misleading visual representations of AI, often seen in media and marketing, can confuse or misinform the public about its functionality, meaning, and impacts. This playbook proposes innovative methods for interpreting AI visuals by drawing on cultural archives to provide historical and social context. Additionally, it includes open licence visual motifs and resources, allowing users to freely illustrate AI-related content or narratives with authenticity and precision.
A highly creative and reflective selection of artists and researchers have contributed to the guide to offer tutorials and examples, including:
Hanna Bakarat, researcher, activist and collage artist. She has been deep in researching narratives of AI and exploring collage as an act of resistance.
Cristóbal Ascencio, a Mexican visual artist. As a photographer, his practice explores new forms of image making such as virtual reality, data manipulation and photogrammetry.
Zeina Saleem, graphic designer interested in data beautification and the aesthetics of algorithmic distortion.
Dominika Čupková, interdisciplinary artist and researcher connecting the dots between AI, art, design and feminism.
Nadia Piet, Nadia is an independent researcher, designer, and co-founder and creative director of AIxDESIGN.
The playbook is available for anyone to download and is accompanied by detailed artist logs available at aixdesign.co/posts/archival-images-of-ai. Readers can explore the works’ origins and development and input from Eryk Salvaggio, Cees Martens, Isabel Beirigo, Monique Groot, Danny van Zuijlen, Alice Isaac, Anne Fehres and Luke Conroy.
The playbook is launched at an interactive event where attendees have an opportunity to test and play with the techniques and interact with the artists.
A varied and powerful selection of over 25 of the images created by the artists will be added to the free Better Images of AI image library where any individual or publication can use the images for free.
The playbook can be downloaded at aixdesign.co/posts/archival-images-of-ai.