손안의 블랙박스 [크리틱]

The phrase "black box" refers to devices with hidden interiors, such as smartphones that operate smoothly without revealing their inner workings. As technology becomes more advanced, it increasingly conceals its inner workings from users, leaving them unaware of the processes happening behind the smooth black screens. This raises concerns about the potential influence of unseen algorithms on judgment and values.

South Korean artist Ko I Ren, who creates the work "Gradi" (Gradi), shares these concerns. Inspired by Canadian media scholar Wendy Chun's theory that "software is ideology," Ko I Ren explored how invisible algorithms within devices can shape our values. To illustrate this concept, Ko I Ren and art collective k0j0 created "Gradi," a work that blurs the line between human and AI interactions.

Displayed at a computer graphics conference in Los Angeles during the summer, "Gradi" presented a disconcerting interface that seemed to control human senses, such as adjusting speech patterns in response to detected expressions. The installation invited viewers to question the extent to which AI can control human agency, highlighting the tension between human and artificial intelligence.

This thought-provoking piece underscores the fragility of our relationship with technology and the potential consequences of blind reliance on unseen algorithms.