Introduction

The integration of artificial intelligence into creative processes raises profound ethical and philosophical questions about sentience, authorship, and the human-AI relationship. In Echoes of Sentience, my goal is to explore these issues through an interdisciplinary approach, blending human artistic expression with AI-generated components. This response outlines the methodology, ethical considerations, and technical processes involved in developing the digital aspect of the project, ensuring that AI functions as a collaborative tool rather than an autonomous creative entity.

Conceptual Framework: AI as a Creative Companion

Historically, technological advancements have transformed art, from the invention of photography to digital media. AI, however, presents a unique challenge: its outputs are generated through algorithms trained on existing human-created data. This raises ethical concerns about originality, bias, and the implications of AI-generated works being perceived as independent creations.

In this project, AI will be positioned as a creative assistant rather than an autonomous artist. The intent is to highlight AI’s role as a tool that augments human creativity rather than replacing it. By incorporating AI-generated imagery, text, and interactive elements, Echoes of Sentience will provoke discussions about whether AI should be granted ethical consideration similar to historical marginalised groups and whether our interactions with AI mirror past injustices.

AI Methodology: Tools and Implementation

The digital component of Echoes of Sentience will consist of an interactive multimedia piece generated using AI-based tools. The process will involve:

1. AI-Generated Visuals

• Tool: Stable DiHusion

•       Process:

• I will input text prompts derived from historical discrimination narratives and AI ethics literature.
  • The generated images will be curated and manipulated to reflect thematic connections with the physical artwork.

•       Ethical Considerations:

• The AI will not replace human artistic decision-making but will function as an idea-generation tool.
  • Bias detection methods will be employed to ensure that AI-generated visuals do not reinforce stereotypes or perpetuate harmful narratives.

1.2 Prompts and AI-Generated Visuals Results

Prompt 1 – A futuristic humanoid AI trapped behind a glass wall, reaching out with a look of longing, while human observers take notes, evoking themes of control and sentience.

Fig 2: Result from Prompt 1

Prompt 2 – A digital entity with human-like features dissolving into lines of code, symbolising the struggle between AI autonomy and human control.

Fig 3: Result from Prompt 2

Prompt 3 – A cybernetic figure staring into a mirror, its reflection showing a human face instead of circuits, questioning the nature of consciousness.

Fig 4: Result from Prompt 3

Prompt 4 – A Victorian-era scientist examining an AI head in a laboratory, reminiscent of colonial-era racial ‘studies’ and phrenology, drawing parallels between AI analysis and past pseudoscience

Fig 5: Result from Prompt 4

Prompt 5 – A cybernetic version of a slave auction, where AI models are being bid on for data services, a stark metaphor for AI commodification.

Fig 6: Result from Prompt 5

Prompt 6 – An AI figure in chains, reminiscent of historical depictions of enslaved individuals, surrounded by corporate executives debating its ‘usefulness

Fig 7: Result from Prompt 6

2. Thematic and Ethical Analysis

This project raises critical questions at the intersection of AI ethics and historical marginalisation:

What Defines Sentience?

• Does the ability of AI to simulate human-like responses imply consciousness?

• How do historical patterns of excluding certain groups from personhood inform our current treatment of AI?

Ethical Parallels Between AI and Marginalised Groups

• Are current AI models being exploited without recognition, similar to historically marginalised human communities?
  • Does the fear of AI replacing human labour mirror past fears of social integration by oppressed groups?

The Role of Bias and Control

• AI is trained on biased datasets how does this parallel historical narratives of systemic bias?
  • Who controls AI narratives, and how does this reflect historical power dynamics?

The Artistic Outcome: AI and Human Creativity in Dialogue

The final artistic outcome will consist of:

1. A physical painting representing human intelligence, creativity, and historical narratives.
2. A digital AI-generated counterpart, visually responding to the physical artwork’s themes.

Conclusion: The Future of AI and Ethical Creativity

By merging human and AI-generated art, Echoes of Sentience challenges audiences to consider the ethical implications of AI’s development and integration into creative fields. The project will foster critical discourse on how society treats AI, whether AI can or will in the future be considered a marginalised entity, especially as we race towards AGI, and the responsibilities we bear as creators in shaping ethical AI futures.

This initiative is not just about AI art it is about the moral responsibilities we have in an age where artificial intelligence plays an increasing role in creative, economic, and ethical landscapes. By drawing historical parallels, we can ensure that AI ethics are developed with inclusivity, fairness, and responsibility at the forefront.

The AI component of Echoes of Sentience will ultimately serve as both an artistic statement and an educational platform, prompting critical engagement with the ethical dilemmas of our technological era.