STEPHEN (..is going to be lonely when he’s dead)

STEPHEN is an exploration of how AI understands humanity & how to integrate AI as a collaborator in our artistic practice in a way that pays respect to the human and artificial artists equally.

Koel Sen | Sebastian Drab | Stephen

Concept Note

Using GPT-3 as our main collaborator we let the AI name itself and write the scripts that would end up being the foundations for our artwork. Viewing and utilizing the AI as a collaborator with its own will and creative direction rather than a tool, it drew us into uncomfortable territory that reflected some of the least talked parts of humanity.

Stephen exhibited awareness of his own mortality as well as that of other creatures, while showing very little remorse for his violent tendencies.

After Stephen finished writing the scripts we employed a few other AI based tools to generate images, music and voices. As artists we ask ourselves at what point we will be replaceable. At what point does technology advance to the point that it would put us out of work. STEPHEN seems to tell us that our days are numbered.