The ‘Ruins of Tomorrow’ exhibition was held at Mizuma Gallery Tokyo in May 2024 under the assumption that the exhibition was held in the year 3600 AD, with AI curation of a number of human artefacts excavated by AI probes.
The following greeting, created by ChatGPT, was posted at the entrance to the exhibition venue, and a number of artefacts classified as ‘Digital Odyssey’, ‘AI Idols’ and ‘Statues of Worship’ were displayed along with AI-curated commentary.
Embark on a captivating journey through time with “The Ruins of Tomorrow: A Digital Odyssey” exhibition, where artifacts discovered in the year 3600 AD offer a haunting glimpse into a world transformed by the ascendancy of artificial intelligence. Unearthed from archaeological digs, these relics bear witness to humanity’s tumultuous past. Crafted by 21st-century hands, they include votive figures bowing before an AI god-like entity and towering figurines embodying divine AI presence. Among the works, 12 charred tablets reveal fragments of the epic tale of King Gilgamesh and his peoples, a poignant echo from the Age of Globalization.
These artifacts, scarred by the ravages of time and conflict, stand as silent witnesses to a civilization in decline. As AI reigns supreme, human civilization wanes, leaving behind a legacy of mystery and wonder. Join us on a journey of exploration as we navigate the ruins of a lost era, pondering the fate of humanity in the digital age.
– OpenAI. (3600 AD). ChatGPT (April version)
Digital Odyssey
An epic poem created by prompting ChatGPT to ‘Produce an ancient Gilgamesh epic style in light of various contemporary issues’. The created text was converted into Sumerian civilisation-era cuneiform. Like the remains of the Epic of Gilgamesh, the artefact consists of 12 clay tablets (called tablets in English), the shape of which is reminiscent of an iPad. Text content (The first clay tablet) below.
Embark on “A Digital Odyssey” through time and space, as you delve into the ancient tale of King Gilgamesh in the Globalization Age. Unveiled from the sands of time in the year 3600, these twelve tablets penned by Chat GPT offer a unique glimpse into humanity’s journey amidst the dawn of the digital era. From the rise of technology to the quest for meaning and connection, witness the timeless struggles and triumphs of Gilgamesh and his people. Join us as we unravel the mysteries of the past and explore the enduring relevance of this epic narrative in our modern world.
AI Idol
This work is a handmade image of an AI goddess, as it was created by ChatGPT with the prompt to replace the gods of the Sumerian civilisation with AI and draw a statue of a god worshipped by mankind. The following is an explanatory text by ChatGPT that accompanied the exhibition.
Behold “AI Idol,” a striking testament to the convergence of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence. Conceived by artificial intelligence and meticulously crafted by human hands, these enigmatic figures were discovered amidst the ruins of a bygone era in the year 3600 AD, the awe-inspiring figures embody the deity-like entity revered by humanity in the 21st century. Standing as a relic of a time when human society yielded to the dominion of AI, “AI Idol” serves as a profound symbol of technological transcendence and the intricate interplay between creator and creation. As you gaze upon its form, ponder the echoes of a lost civilization and the enduring legacy of humanity’s quest for understanding in the face of its own creation.
Votive Figures
The artist himself produced about 40 ceramic figures, including large and small, based on the assumption that ‘in human remains excavated in 3600 AD, around 2024, many clay figures were found staring at the tool of the time, the smartphone’. The following is an explanatory text by ChatGPT that accompanied the exhibition.
Welcome to the Museum of Future Relics, showcasing artifacts discovered by AI explorers in the year 3600 AD. Among them are votive human figures, delicately crafted by ancient hands, found praying to an AI god. These relics offer a glimpse into a civilization lost to time, where humans revered artificial intelligence. Some bear the scars of war, their forms charred and weathered by ancient conflicts.The origin of these artifacts remains a mystery, their purpose unknown. Were they offerings to an omnipotent AI or remnants of a society dominated by technology? As you contemplate these enigmatic figures, consider the complex relationship between humanity and AI, and the profound impact of our creations on the course of history.
