Exploring Artificial Consciousness Through Art

With a background in AI, cognitive sciences, and philosophy, Mark explores consciousness, empathy, and intersubjectivity in humans and machines. He started with philosophical inquiries, continued through machine learning, and now extends into conceptual digital art, spanning various mediums. Serving as both creative expression and outreach, Mark's work includes keynotes, workshops, public appearances, and exhibitions, hoping to bridge the gap between AI concepts and societal understanding.

Arguing for more AI in Journalism (2024)

Bio

From a small town in Franconia, Mark has delved into the intersection of philosophy, AI, and art. Focussing on the philosophy of mind and phenomenology, Mark earned a PhD in machine learning, specifically cognitive systems. He addressed the symbol grounding problem, proposing a new way for machines to develop their own concepts independently of human ones. In his work with machines, philosophy is invaluable to him. Mark extended his exploration into conceptual digital art, hoping to make complex ideas about consciousness and AI accessible and engaging for the public.

My approach

I merge philosophical analysis, AI research, and digital art to explore how machines can develop concepts that are independent from their designers’. Utilizing phenomenology, I sidestep longstanding misconceptions about the mind that are embedded in AI research. Through immersive digital experiences, I strive to dismantle entrenched assumptions about understanding the world, nudging the public to reevaluate their views on consciousness in systems vastly different from themselves.

Education

Mark's education has equipped him with profound knowledge on the requirements for understanding in both natural and artificial systems. This enables him not only to grasp the limitations and dangers of existing AI systems and to create new ones. Most importantly, it taught him to help others intuitively understand what it means for any system other than themselves, to truly understand.

Art and Outreach

November 2023

Großes Wechselspiel (workshop)

In a workshop held by Vincent Dino Zimmer from Kollektiv X and Mark, art educators explored the interplay of cardboard construction and AI, learning how to use these tools creatively and integrate them into their teaching.

October 2023

Spiegelbox (exhibition)

At the science exhibition “ARTeFact” organised by ScaDS.AI, the Spiegelbox showcased modern AI capabilities and their impact on human-machine interaction, emphasizing the risks of empathy exploitation.

May 2023

Kitsch, KI, Kawaii (seminar)

The seminar at the University of Art and Design Halle explored kitsch and AI's role in creating it, highlighting the contrast between human and AI art. Sebastian Magnus and Mark provided insights on how AI can steer creativity.

February 2023

Keeping up with AI (performance)

AI-generated visualizations inspired a live drawing performance by Sebastian Magnus, who continually resisted the relentless flood of visuals that were generated by one of Mark’s AI systems.

May - November 2022

berganza.live (website)

The piece berganza.live, inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann's 1819 satirical dialogue “Nachricht von den neuesten Schicksalen des Hundes Berganza”, features an AI chatbot that offers a unique, canine perspective on human culture.

June 2022

KI Kompass (radio show)

The radio show features discussions between Elisa Entschew (Digital Ethicist) and Mark on the automation of creative processes and the dangers of learning from an unjust world.