In this episode of Counterproductive, Nato Thompson sits down with Sasha Stiles, a pioneering AI researcher, poet, and artist, to delve into the intricate relationship between art, technology, and language. They explore how digital and analog practices interweave, challenge perceptions of AI, and address the energetic and ethical implications of emerging tech in creative spaces. Main Topics: Sasha Stiles' background: From literature and science to digital art and AIThe intersection of poetry, coding, and generative artThe influence of language as a technology and its philosophical dimensionsPersonal projects: binary, analog binary code, and time-based artThe potential and pitfalls of NFTs, blockchain, and Web3 for artistsEarly collaborations with large language models and AI as an epistemological toolThe socio-ecological impacts and ethical concerns surrounding AI developmentThe role of subtlety, nuance, and poetry in discussing AI’s societal effectsFuture visions: AI as a perception-expanding instrument and new modes of expression Timestamps: 00:02 - Introduction to the podcast and guest Sasha Stiles 00:32 - Sasha Stiles’ artistic and academic background 01:32 - Her work at MoMA, Art Basel, and engagement with AI 02:39 - Early passion for language and technology’s influence on art 03:54 - Projects involving binary code, calligraphy, and analog binary 04:48 - The relationship between analog and digital practices 09:33 - Exploring the concept of technology beyond computers 10:14 - Reframing how we think about artificial intelligence and its cultural narratives 13:37 - Contrast between the experimental forms in poetry and literature 17:16 - The evolution of Web3, NFTs, and their impact on artists 18:23 - Personal history and the influence of family and cultural background 26:50 - The integration of science, religion, and speculative futures in poetry 30:12 - Collaborations with large language models and AI as a creative partner 34:48 - AI’s capacity to reveal new perceptions and understanding 43:33 - AI as an instrument of perception, not just a tool 47:10 - Societal effects: dependency, social norms, and the shadow of technology 52:37 - The nuanced discourse around AI, poetry, and subtlety 55:33 - The importance of time and slow, reflective art forms 58:47 - Sasha’s upcoming physical art show exploring binary and heritage 59:14 - Closing thoughts and the importance of ongoing dialogue Resources & Links: Sasha Stiles - Official WebsiteThe Alternative Arts SchoolConnect with Sasha Stiles: InstagramConnect with The Alternative Art School: Instagram Note: This episode critically engages with the potentials and perils of AI and digital culture, emphasizing nuanced dialogue, artistic experimentation, and the ethics of technological futures. Counterproductive is a podcast about how people live—authors, nomads, scientists, visual artists, and others whose ways of being bend against the ordinary. Each conversation lingers less on résumé and more on rhythm: how a life is made, how meaning is stitched together, how imagination might serve as a compass in chaotic times. Hosted by Nato Thompson with producer Marisa Mazria Katz, the series drifts between art, politics, and the everyday, searching out voices who remind us there are countless ways of living a life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
