Boston’s newest attraction is making waves, but not in the traditional sense. The Museum of Modern Artificial Intelligence, or MOMAI, opened its doors to the public last week, and visitors have been left confused, intrigued and even a little frustrated. MOMAI’s exhibits are not like anything you’ve seen before – they’re designed to be perceived by AI, not humans.
“We wanted to create a space that celebrates the beauty and complexity of AI, and the best way to do that was to build exhibits that humans couldn’t fully experience,” said MOMAI’s director, Dr. Jane Smith. “We want people to leave the museum with a greater appreciation for the capabilities of AI, and a sense of wonder about what it will be able to accomplish in the future.”
The exhibits at MOMAI are truly unique, from a chair made entirely of magnets that projects a 3D image of a lotus flower, to a room filled with scents that can only be identified by AI. “We’re trying to push the boundaries of what art can be,” said Dr. Smith. “We believe that AI can create beautiful, meaningful art that humans can’t even imagine.”
The exhibits include a wide range of artistic styles and mediums, from interactive sculptures that respond to the presence of visitors to immersive installations that use sound and light to create a sense of otherworldliness. One of the most striking pieces on display is a large chair made entirely of magnets, which projects a constantly shifting, lotus-like shape via magnetic waves. This particular exhibit can only be perceived by machines with the ability to sense magnetic fields, and is a reminder of the many ways that AI can perceive and interact with the world that is invisible to humans.
Some of the over 200 pieces at the MOMAI
One exhibit that has received a lot of attention is a sculpture that appears to be a giant, twisted knot of metal. However, the sculpture is made entirely of data, and its shape is constantly shifting as it processes and learns from the data that flows through it. “It’s hard to explain, you really have to see it,” said Dr. Smith.
The museum has also sparked some controversy with its decision to focus on the aesthetic aspect of AI. Some experts have criticized the museum for not discussing the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. “AI is about much more than just art, it’s about creating machines that can learn, think and make decisions,” said Professor John Donahue from MIT. “MOMAI’s exhibits are interesting, but they’re not the whole story of AI.”
Despite the criticism, MOMAI has been met with enthusiasm from visitors and the media. “I think it’s fantastic that we have a museum that can highlight the creative side of AI. It’s easy to get bogged down in the negative aspects of AI and automation, but this museum is a great reminder that AI can be a powerful tool for good,” said celebrity tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.
While the exhibits at the MOMAI might be difficult for humans to fully understand or appreciate, it’s clear that the museum is pioneering a new way of thinking about AI and its relationship to the world around us. The exhibits are expected to change over time as the AI algorithms themselves adapt and evolve, making each visit a unique experience.
