Student consumes AI art in bold protest at university in Alaska

Campus Protest Results in Arrests

Recently, a rather troubling protest unfolded at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Undergraduate students were taken into custody after they charged into an art gallery, ripping apart AI-generated photographs and, disturbingly, chewing and spitting them out. This act was carried out as a form of protest.

Ironically, instead of highlighting the potential risks associated with AI, the students ended up destroying artwork meant to address those concerns.

Allegations against the protesters include damaging at least 57 of the 160 Polaroid-style prints that were displayed in the arts complex on Tuesday. Police estimated the damage to be around $220 during what was labeled an anti-AI protest. A police report shared online detailed the incident.

One of the students, Graham Granger, who is part of the film and performing arts program, was arrested and charged with fifth-degree criminal mischief—a Class B misdemeanor in Alaska. This was reported by the campus publication, the Sunstar.

Granger, who is set to appear in court next Tuesday, explained to the police that his actions stemmed from the belief that the artworks were offensive due to their AI origins.

The artworks in question were from a Master’s candidate, Nick Dwyer, whose exhibit titled “Shadow Searching: ChatGPT Psychosis” explored the psychological effects of prolonged interactions with AI on personal identity.

The exhibit featured AI-generated pieces displayed alongside works from other MFA candidates as part of a rotating showcase, which university officials confirmed was planned as part of their exhibition series.

Dwyer mentioned that he began integrating AI into his artistic process around 2017 or 2018, after initially creating art without it for many years.

He expressed that the vandalism of his exhibit illustrates a disturbing trend, showcasing, in his view, the increasing unpredictability of people’s reactions to technology. Dwyer has purportedly experienced what he describes as AI psychosis after years of engaging closely with AI technology.