30 July 2025
EMERGE and VALAWAI projects invite you to share a weekend at and near the Biennale in Venice to reflect on the nature of awareness through science, technology and art. There will be four activities: An art-science installation, a symposium, the opening of an interactive exhibit, and a hands-on workshop.
The gathering aims to bring together experts in philosophy, art, AI and robotics, along with experts in science communication and the public to brainstorm how we can communicate complex topics such as awareness in natural and artificial agents through art, play, and narratives. It features an artwork at the Biennale exploring self-awareness in a fully embodied android robot, a symposium on awareness in AI, the launch of the interactive N-Odes exhibit exploring collective awareness, and a full-day workshop on science communication of awareness.
We expect this workshop will be exciting for the public, early-career researchers (MSCs, PhD students and Postdocs) as well as experts in science communication interested in art and AI awareness. The gathering is also an opportunity for members of the EIC Pathfinder portfolio "Awareness Inside" to refine the basic concepts of the portfolio and to create networks between projects.
PROGRAM
A. SATURDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER
11:00 am - 20:00 pm: Visit to the curator exhibition and the art-science installation "Am I a strange loop?" by Takashi Ikegami and Luc Steels.
1:30 - 5 pm: Symposium "Will the AI-powered robots of the future be self-aware?" at the speaker's corner at the Arsenale.
Location: Venice Biennale, Arsenale, Campo de la Tana, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy.
> Biennale ticket needed (available here).
B. SUNDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER
4:00 - 9:00 pm: Launch of N-Odes interactive exhibit and reception.
Location: Venice International University, Isola di San Servolo, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy.
C. MONDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER
9:30 am - 4:00 pm: Workshop on Communicating about Awareness in Artificial Agents.
Location: Venice International University, Isola di San Servolo, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy.
> Registration needed. Register here.
> Would you like to exhibit, demonstrate or present your AI / robot / art during the workshop? Submit your work here.
Detailed program available below
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