Media Majlis Museum presents “Ai or Nay? Artificial vs. Intelligent”

“Ai or Nay? Artificial vs. Intelligent” is the latest exhibition set to open at the Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University in Qatar, exploring the evolving relationship between human creativity and machine learning, while examining the opportunities and challenges AI presents in contemporary journalism.

Running from January 15 until May 15, 2025, the exhibition includes a collection of over 20 works by regional and international artists, spanning diverse mediums including visual arts, installations, and mixed media. It also features immersive digital experiences, newly commissioned works and loaned pieces from prestigious institutions such as the Computer History Museum (California, USA), Barjeel Art Foundation (Sharjah, UAE), and Qatar Museums (Doha, Qatar).

Curated by Jack Thomas Taylor, curator of art, media, and technology at the Media Majlis Museum, and in alignment with the museum's mission to foster critical thinking and connect with the ever-evolving contemporary world, “Ai or Nay?” invites visitors to challenge and question the intersection and boundaries between digital and human learning focusing on how contemporary journalism could exploit the diverse possibilities of AI, its opportunities, and its limitations.

"As an institution dedicated to advancing media and communication excellence, this exhibition offers a thought-provoking exploration of how AI is shaping the world of media, privacy, identity, and representation and challenges us to reconsider our evolving relationship with technology,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “We embrace this opportunity to advance collaboration, critical inquiry, and community engagement—values that align with our commitment to excellence. This exhibition is a powerful example of how art and innovation can inspire meaningful dialogue about the future of media."

This exhibition, viewed through the lenses of four themes - hindsight, insight, foresight, and oversight - invites audiences to explore how AI is transforming the notions of privacy, identity, and representation. Through captivating installations, visitors encounter sketches morphing into digital artworks (Dream Machine by Jan Zuiderveld), robotic arms capturing their portraits (Time to Read by Patrick Tresset), and a 3D-printed nose telling stories through scent (Adnose by Adnan Ayub Aga). The exhibition encourages the audience to question, reconsider, and delve deeper into their inevitable connection with the ever-evolving realm of AI.