Xara Beitinger. AI-Doll. 2024. Video of a multimedia installation, 8:20 minutes
This work tells the story of a child raised by an AI doll, documenting an interactive, narrative-driven installation. Part of a larger artistic project involving over 100 creators, the installation was part of an exhibition in a former hotel that was turned into an immersive art exhibition by the young Munich art collective Broke.Today. Xara Beitinger’s contribution featured a puzzle-based scavenger hunt guiding visitors through the hotel, gradually uncovering the story of the child and its AI-caretaker.
The doll, equipped with a camera in its eye, takes on a central role as both a companion and narrator. Visitors engage with the doll, actors, and AI-generated visuals to explore philosophical dialogues between the child and the AI, reflecting on themes such as morality, memory, and emotion.
AI tools, including ChatGPT, voice generators, and image editing tools, were essential to this process. The prompts ranged from generating backstory fragments to creating AI-generated imagery of the hotel’s imagined past. The project explores the interaction between human creativity and AI-driven processes, questioning the role of AI in art and storytelling.
Reflection
The intention of the work was to create an immersive, thought-provoking experience. AI tools enabled novel elements but required significant human input for refinement. The process was rewarding but highlighted the limitations and possibilities of AI. The final result exceeded expectations, blending AI's efficiency with human creativity to produce a meaningful narrative.
Xara Beitinger is an American-German installation artist with a background in digital education and e-learning project management. She combines media, pedagogy, and art to foster playful dialogues about contemporary societal themes.
Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrU1n54vE5g