Local Disturbances

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Culture for what's coming.

  1. Local Disturbances - Shorts #38 - The Problem with AI Ethics

    10/03/2024

    Local Disturbances - Shorts #38 - The Problem with AI Ethics

    In this episode, we explore the complex and often contentious relationship between ethics and artificial intelligence, delving into how human experiences and ethical judgments are shaped by our diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Through a thought-provoking discussion on public expressions, institutional control, and the growing field of AI ethics, we question whether AI might be amplifying existing power structures or offering a chance for disruption. Reflecting on Western institutional frameworks, the role of nation-states, and the challenges of meaning-making, we ask: What are we forfeiting by relying on external authorities to define good and bad? And what opportunities might emerge as we face the potential collapse of centralized powers? Words by Jerrold McGrath Sounds by Koohyaar Habibi Produced by Kasra Goodarznezhad

    12 min
  2. Local Disturbances - Shorts #37 - Final Notes on Double Voiced Speech

    08/28/2024

    Local Disturbances - Shorts #37 - Final Notes on Double Voiced Speech

    In this episode, we delve into the complex interplay between synthetic language and ideological structures, exploring how creative applications of generative language can destabilize and reinterpret existing norms. We discuss the role of stylization as both an artistic necessity and a subtle form of protest, drawing on insights from Albert Camus and Terry Eagleton. The episode also touches on the concept of double-voiced speech, where mimicking established forms of communication allows for subversive reinterpretation, particularly in environments where open dissent is risky. We examine the nuances of confounded authorship, where the interaction between human prompts and AI-generated responses creates a layered dynamic of responsibility and intent. Reflecting on Pierre Machéry's ideas, we explore how literature, by formalizing ideology, exposes its limitations and the unsaid elements within, allowing for critical examination. Finally, we share insights from our ongoing collaboration with ChatGPT, including the provocative design of an "Ideological Compliance and Surveillance Machine" (ICSM), a concept that opens up discussions on the ethics and implications of controlling thought and speech. As we look forward to future explorations, including a forthcoming book and workshop series on the poetics of synthetic language, we invite listeners to engage with these ideas and join the conversation. Words by Jerrold McGrath Produced by Kasra Goodarznezhad Sound by Koohyar Habibi

    10 min
  3. Local Disturbances - Shorts #36 - Generative Language as a Vehicle for Satire

    08/21/2024

    Local Disturbances - Shorts #36 - Generative Language as a Vehicle for Satire

    In this episode, we explore the intriguing intersection of satire and AI-generated language, delving into how synthetic language can serve as both a mask and a vehicle for subversive humor. We examine the historical role of satire in challenging societal norms and power structures, and how this tradition can be extended into the digital age using generative AI. By discussing concepts from Bakhtin’s theory of the carnivalesque to modern examples like the AI-generated entity Loab, we invite listeners to consider the potential of AI as a tool for cultural commentary and critique. Words by Jerrold McGrath Production and Sound by Koohyaar Habibi

    18 min
  4. Local Disturbances - Shorts 35 - Critique in the Arts: Point vs. System

    06/14/2024

    Local Disturbances - Shorts 35 - Critique in the Arts: Point vs. System

    In this episode, we explore the potential for AI to either centralize or decentralize control in decision-making processes within the arts. We discuss how AI's ability to separate prediction from judgment could reduce reliance on rigid institutional structures and promote individual decision-making. The conversation delves into how institutions manage complexity and how AI might disrupt these mechanisms. We distinguish between 'point solutions' and 'systemic solutions' in AI applications, examining their implications for the arts and questioning the role of class interests in critiques of AI. The episode concludes by contemplating the broader societal changes AI could bring to the arts and how we might navigate these transformations.

    10 min
  5. Local Disturbances - Shorts #34 - Talking With and Through Generative Text

    06/03/2024

    Local Disturbances - Shorts #34 - Talking With and Through Generative Text

    In this episode of Local Disturbances, we delve into the intricate world of generative text and its place in prose art. Drawing inspiration from Mikhail Bakhtin's concept of "artistically representing language," we explore how different genres and styles of language interact within a novel to create a dynamic and ever-evolving narrative. Our discussion focuses on the dialogic nature of language in literature, examining how authors use familiar forms like love letters to engage readers on multiple levels. We consider the historical and cultural contexts that shape readers' interpretations, emphasizing how contemporary readers bring new perspectives to traditional forms. Moving to the realm of generative language, we challenge the notion that AI-generated text lacks artistic potential. By appropriating and relativizing AI-created words, we can integrate them into our creative processes, just as we do with other formalized and "uncreative" texts like propaganda and religious scripture. As a practical exercise, we introduce an experiment to "corrupt" AI-generated text, demonstrating how altering these authoritative outputs can reveal new layers of meaning and challenge their perceived certainty. We invite listeners to participate and share their experiences with this creative exercise. Join us as we navigate the complexities of synthetic text and discover innovative ways to incorporate AI-generated language into our artistic endeavors.

    9 min
  6. Local Disturbances - Shorts #33 - Erotic Fiction: Generative AI and Alterity

    05/22/2024

    Local Disturbances - Shorts #33 - Erotic Fiction: Generative AI and Alterity

    In this episode of "Local Disturbances" we delve into the nuanced intersections of generative AI, erotic fiction, and the concept of alterity. Drawing on insights from Byung Chul Han and Mikhail Bakhtin, we explore the pervasive feeling of loneliness in AI-generated content and its implications for our understanding of the "Other." This absence of alterity in digital creations, where texts and images lack the depth of human interaction, accelerates our cultural shift towards narcissism and diminishes our capacity for love and genuine engagement. We discuss how traditional notions of Otherness are being transformed by digital connectivity and self-exploitation, leading to a homogenized spectacle of identity. Additionally, we touch on the concept of "novelization" in literature and our upcoming projects at UKAI, including a city-scale tabletop RPG that seeks to inject diversity and connectivity into AI through vernacular approaches. Join us as we contemplate how we might reclaim meaningful alterity in the age of AI, ensuring that our interactions remain rich and transformative.

    10 min
  7. Local Disturbances - Shorts #32 - With Generative Language, Nobody Knows You're a Dog

    05/15/2024

    Local Disturbances - Shorts #32 - With Generative Language, Nobody Knows You're a Dog

    In this episode, we continue to delve into the implications of generative language tools and their potential to reshape our world and our understanding of it. Drawing parallels to the transformative impact of the printing press, we explore how these modern innovations could similarly influence language, communication, and society. We begin by reflecting on the historical context of the printing press and its role in standardizing languages, promoting literacy, and democratizing knowledge. However, this technological leap also faced criticism and concerns—echoing the current debates surrounding generative language models. Our discussion navigates through various theoretical frameworks to understand the cultural transformations that generative language might bring. We examine the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis and how language structures can shape cognition and worldview, raising questions about the effects of AI-produced text on our perspectives and sense of meaning. Pierre Bourdieu's Theory of Linguistic Capital provides insights into how generative language could democratize access to prestigious language forms, potentially de-professionalizing certain fields. We share personal experiments with using AI for grant writing, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges this presents. Social Identity Theory and Language Ideology are explored to understand how language can reinforce group boundaries and social hierarchies. We discuss how generative language tools might bridge gaps for non-native speakers but also perpetuate existing biases and inequalities. Finally, we consider the implications of Critical Discourse Analysis, pondering how power relations and social inequalities might be constructed, maintained, or challenged through AI-generated language. Concerns about censorship, manipulation, and the potential erosion of critical thinking are addressed. This high-level overview invites listeners to reflect on the potential cultural impacts of large language models. We encourage you to share your observations and thoughts on whether the opportunities of these technologies outweigh the threats. Sound by Koohyar Habibi Produced by Kasra Goodarznezhad Words by Jerrold McGrath.

    10 min
  8. Local Disturbances - Shorts #31 - AI in the Wild

    05/10/2024

    Local Disturbances - Shorts #31 - AI in the Wild

    In this episode of Local Disturbances titled "AI in the Wild," host Jerrold McGrath delves into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping our interactions with the world. We explore the awe-inspiring capabilities of conversational agents like ChatGPT and GPT-4, which demonstrate an ability to mediate among various systems, thereby challenging institutional logics and expectations. Drawing inspiration from Ivan Illich's critique of institutionalized systems, we discuss how AI can enable personal autonomy and novel aesthetic experiences by decentralizing institutional control. The episode highlights significant innovations, such as the creation of APIs based on large language models, allowing for seamless communication between software applications and enabling human-like interactions. We reflect on the concerns and potentials of AI in personalizing interactions and fostering human values, emphasizing the importance of AI agents that can adapt to diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. Through engaging discussions and thoughtful insights, we invite listeners to consider a future where AI not only enhances productivity but also enriches human relationships and aesthetic experiences, advocating for a balanced approach to AI development that prioritizes human values and connectivity. Produced by Kasra Goodarznezhad Words by Jerrold McGrath Sound by Koohyar Habibi

    10 min
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About

Culture for what's coming.

Information

  • Creator
    UKAI Projects
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2024
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Local Disturbances