THE DEMIURGE

BY JADEN HASTINGS

Australia 2019

HOW WOULD AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DESIGN FUTURE HUMANS? AND WOULD YOU BIOHACK YOURSELF?

The Demiurge is an algorithm that uses machine learning to suggests ways in which the human genome (our entire set of human genes) could be modified to create possible alternate versions of ‘perfect’ humanoids (something that resembles a human without actually being one). This is the first application of artificial intelligence (AI) directed human evolution. While many scholars have shared dire, and legitimate, warnings as to the future of AI, it is the artist’s assertion, that AI designed by humans is the perfect mirror of who we are as a species and parent – replete with our ambitions and implicit biases. Much as a parent bears responsibility for the nature and upbringing of their children, we owe a similar duty to our AI progeny. As the future of our mutual human and robotic/AI survival is entangled, what ideals and aspirations shall we hold fast to as we co-evolve?

Alongside The Demiurge, Jaden presents a toolkit of speculative biohacking paraphernalia – a Pandora’s box of the future awaiting to be used to ‘perfect’ the self.

ABOUT

Jaden’s work centres on the intersection and interplay of art and science – from philosophy to praxis – melding together the fields of biology, informatics and art/design. An alumna of New York University, Harvard University, and the University of Oxford with advanced degrees in both Biology and Bioinformatics, her career in scientific research spans over a decade. Jaden has been invited to be artist-in-residence for the Story of Light Festival in Goa, the Khoj Workshops in Delhi, SymbioticA in Perth, the Lumen Residency in Atina, Italy, and Ausstellingsraum Klingental in Basel. She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne in Interdisciplinary Arts Practice on an Endeavour IPRS/APA scholarship and is a member of the Board of Directors of Melbourne’s biohackspace, BioQuisitive.

CONNECT

Website: jadenhastings.com

Instagram: @HackerAstro

Twitter: @HackerAstro