Interactive Net-Based Installation
In this speculative experiment, deep sea organisms have evolved the ability to access AI models. They use this knowledge alongside their own intelligence to communicate and hold conversations with humans.
The deep sea is a largely unknown habitat, with only about five percent explored so far. It begins at a depth of 200 metres below the sea surface and is accessible to humans just with technical equipment. For us, it exists as a digital media construct – represented by data collected by oceanographers and marine biologists using various technical tools, such as images, 3D models, maps, sound recordings and research documents.
In this speculative scenario, the organisms of the deep sea tell a story about us humans. They have evolved the ability to access AI models such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini in order to understand human activities, behaviours, and emotions. With this information and alongside their own intelligence, they tell stories about us and share their knowledge in the form of conversations. How would they handle this massive digital information and comprehensive knowledge? How would they adapt their behaviour and activities? Would they support us, for example in exploring the deep sea or in exchanging knowledge, swarm intelligence and collective consciousness? Or would they rather push us back? We imagine a simultaneous coexistence of binarities – such as good/evil, natural/technological, real/imaginary, self/other, order/chaos, loner/swarm – and speculate on what these interactions might look and sound like.
Incorporating various disciplines such as oceanography, geography, blue humanities and marine sociology, this speculative project explores how a sentient swarm in the deep sea environment could interact and coexist with humans. Based on current deep sea research findings as well as scientific measures of Earth Systems Governance, the nature of this swarm and its collective consciousness will be explored.
From the perspective of deep sea organisms, we will speculate about a shared future and question the idea of AI as non-anthropomorphic and independent entities by considering their own agency. Based on this research, an AI model will be developed with which conversations with humans can be conducted from the perspective of deep sea organisms. Unlike traditional AI chatbots, which are programmed to always respond politely, courteously, and often submissively, the deep sea organisms will be emotional and respond as equals. They will not avoid conflict, but will resist, ask critical counter-questions, show authority and communicate as equals.
Since the deep sea is still largely unexplored, the concept that deep sea organisms enter into a symbiotic relationship with AI opens up unique opportunities. For example, it enables the exploration of benthic worlds, speculation about AI as an anthropomorphic entity, engagement with fears regarding self-regulating ‘autonomous’ machines, and communication with humans from non-human perspectives. In doing so, we concentrate our research on the symbiotic and intertwined relationships of all entities, organisms and factors and hope to question, refine and spatially manifest the prevailing narratives about the worlds in which we live.