Will the first sentient AI awaken in 2065?

24 : 05 : 2017 Technology : Digital : Culture

UK – In his new project, Geomancer, Lawrence Lek imagines artificial intelligence taking on the role of an artist.

Geomancer by Lawrence Lek, UK Geomancer by Lawrence Lek, UK
Geomancer by Lawrence Lek, UK Geomancer by Lawrence Lek, UK
Geomancer by Lawrence Lek, UK Geomancer by Lawrence Lek, UK
Geomancer by Lawrence Lek, UK Geomancer by Lawrence Lek, UK

Building on the speculative artist’s previous work on Sinofuturism – the belief that technological advancements in China can be seen as a form of AI – Geomancer follows a conscious machine, which, upon awakening and recognising the subservient roles that AI has been forced to adopt, decides to become the first artificially intelligent artist.

Landing in Singapore, the adolescent satellite AI dedicates itself to learning the art of creativity and, using its resources, sets out to learn the sum of humanity’s cultural history. The work addresses growing fears about post-human consciousness and the possible implications for humanity.

Lek created the dreamscape using video game graphics, devised by an artificially intelligent neural network and overlaid with a synthesised vocal soundtrack.

The Big Picture

  • Inspiring awe and fear in equal measure, AI is the source of continuing debate about what differentiates humans from these machines. For more, read our opinion column on Cracking Creativity
  • Brands such as EyeEm are experimenting with AI to explore the extent to which it can demonstrate human qualities
Discover More Daily Signals
JD Sports hands the camera to its community

Daily Signals

JD Sports hands the camera to its community

JD Sports has flipped the creative script for its seasonal campaign ‘Where Are You Going?’ by putting cameras in the hands of its audience.
Sports : Culture : Youth
MrBeast to open immersive theme park in Riyadh

Daily Signals

MrBeast to open immersive theme park in Riyadh

Content creator MrBeast, known for his viral YouTube challenges, is turning his virtual universe into a real-world destination as he prepares to op...
Entertainment : Content Creator : Theme Park
Stat: Dupes become luxury’s unexpected growth driver

Daily Signals

Stat: Dupes become luxury’s unexpected growth driver

Dupes are now reshaping how affluent consumers engage with luxury, according to research by Havas Media, which surveyed people in the UK,...
Luxury : Retail : Authenticity
A daily recap from Web Summit 2025: Turning authenticity into action

Daily Signals

A daily recap from Web Summit 2025: Turning authenticity into action

Authenticity was the buzzword on day three of Web Summit 2025, as leaders from Loop, Fizz and OnlyFans revealed how community-led models are reshap...
Technology : Global Events : Web Summit 2025
Foresight Friday: Maria Blanco, project manager

Daily Signals

Foresight Friday: Maria Blanco, project manager

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Technology : Music : Culture
Stat: China’s push reconfigures the global EV manufacturing map

Daily Signals

Stat: China’s push reconfigures the global EV manufacturing map

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) and battery manufacturers invested more than £109bn ($143bn, €123bn) globally between 2014 and 2025 as they work to s...
Mobility : Technology : Infrastructure
A daily recap from Web Summit 2025: Resistance rising

Daily Signals

A daily recap from Web Summit 2025: Resistance rising

Day two of Web Summit 2025 was all about resistance and challenging the status quo.
Technology : Global Events : Resistance
The Future Laboratory unpacks Optimised Odysseys report at Breakfast Briefing

Daily Signals

The Future Laboratory unpacks Optimised Odysseys report at Breakfast Briefing

The Future Laboratory, alongside the team behind its trends intelligence platform LS:N Global, hosted its quarterly members-only Breakfast Briefing...
Breakfast Briefing : Global Events : Optimised Odysseys
Stat: One in three dating app users now swipe for career connections

Daily Signals

Stat: One in three dating app users now swipe for career connections

Dating apps are becoming unexpected networking tools. A new ResumeBuilder.com survey of 2,225 users finds that one in three people now use dating a...
Dating : Apps : Tinder
Hyrular launches surreal beauty that breaks the mould

Daily Signals

Hyrular launches surreal beauty that breaks the mould

Hyrular is a new luxury beauty brand bringing a surreal, sci-fi edge to make-up.
Beauty : Wellness : Cosmetics
You have 1 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN