Ai or Nay? Artificial vs. Intelligent

Ai or Nay? Artificial vs. Intelligent is the latest exhibition open at the Media Majlis Museum at Northwestern University in Qatar, exploring the evolving relationship between human creativity and machine learning while examining the opportunities and challenges AI presents in contemporary journalism. Running until May 15, 2025, “Ai or Nay” features a collection of over 20 works by regional and international artists, spanning diverse mediums, including visual arts, installations, and mixed media. The exhibition also features immersive digital experiences, newly commissioned works, and loaned pieces from prestigious institutions such as the Barjeel Art Foundation (Sharjah, United Arab Emirates), Computer History Museum (California, United States), and Qatar Museums (Doha, Qatar).

Curated by Jack Thomas Taylor, curator of art, media, and technology at the Media Majlis Museum, and in alignment with the Museum’s mission to foster critical thinking and connect with the ever-evolving contemporary world, “Ai or Nay?” invites visitors to challenge and question the intersection and boundaries between digital and human learning focusing on how contemporary journalism could exploit the diverse possibilities of AI, its opportunities, and its limitations.

“As an institution dedicated to advancing media and communication excellence, this exhibition offers a thought-provoking exploration of how AI is shaping the world of media, privacy, identity, and representation and challenges us to reconsider our evolving relationship with technology,” said Marwan M. Kraidy, dean and CEO of Northwestern Qatar. “We embrace this opportunity to advance collaboration, critical inquiry, and community engagement—values that align with our commitment to excellence. This exhibition is a powerful example of how art and innovation can inspire meaningful dialogue about the future of media.”

This exhibition, viewed through the lenses of four themes, “hindsight,” “insight,” “foresight,” and “oversight,” invites audiences to explore how AI is transforming the notions of privacy, identity, and representation. Through engaging installations, visitors encounter sketches morphing into digital artworks (Dream Machine by Jan Zuiderveld), robotic arms capturing their portraits (Time to Read by Patrick Tresset), and a 3D-printed nose telling stories through scent (Adnose by Adnan Ayub Aga). The exhibition compels the audience to question, reconsider, and delve deeper into their inevitable connection with the ever-evolving realm of AI.

Alfredo Cramerotti, director of the Media Majlis Museum, said: “The Media Majlis Museum serves as a space for reflection and challenge, inviting the audience, and the young generation, to question norms and rethink their relationship with AI. This exhibition dares audiences to ask: where are we headed in our coevolution with artificial intelligence? It’s not a linear journey but an exploratory one that encourages visitors to navigate through the content, jump between ideas, and learn through engagement.”

Taylor added: “‘Ai or Nay?’ emerged in response to the renewed public discourse surrounding artificial intelligence, its paradoxes, challenges, and opportunities. It offers an alternative perspective by using art to speculate about technology and how new media experiences can trigger curiosity to understand more about journalism.”

The exhibition is also accompanied by a comprehensive, full-color illustrated glossary of terminology associated with AI and journalism, available in both English and Arabic, published by Silvana Editoriale. Edited by Taylor and Dubai-based journalist Katy Gillett, the publication features a foreword by Kraidy, an introduction by Taylor, and an endword by Cramerotti.

As the Arab world’s leading university museum, Media Majlis Museum is committed to offering dynamic and evolving exhibitions that challenge traditional boundaries and address contemporary topics. Through engaging exhibitions, publications, programs, and online resources, the Museum creates immersive experiences that challenge conventional narratives and present diverse perspectives on global, regional, and local stories.

The Museum maintains a global outlook, forming partnerships with institutions, experts, and technologists worldwide while spotlighting perspectives from the Global South. By integrating the expertise of faculty and students, the museum serves as a key resource for both academic and public audiences, bridging curricular and extracurricular activities. Through its innovative and forward-looking approach, it invites visitors to explore pressing issues at the intersection of media, communication, art, and technology, reinforcing its position as a next-generation museum.