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Dr Micheál O'Connell

Title: Artificial Stupidity

Abstract: In 2015, after a talk by Sussex's Margaret Boden on AI’s emerging dangers, I mentioned my doctoral research on ‘artificial stupidity’ at a post-event dinner. Boden laughed but engaged with the idea. The practice-led PhD was completed in 2016, but the topic remains pertinent. I am now refining aspects of the thesis into a short book, examining how what was initially a joke term artificial stupidity, or close variations of it, have since been adopted by thinkers like James Bridle, Meredith Broussard, Hito Steyerl, the late Bernard Stiegler and others, in different contexts. The book revisits and updates key arguments, particularly the application of ‘stupidity’ to both machines and human creative processes. It also interrogates intelligence as a concept, including cybernetic and algorithmic systems. Given the growing power of AI, a critical perspective is needed - not just on artificial intelligence but also on broader definitions of intelligence and the structures that shape it. The seminar will touch on aspects of what is contained in the forthcoming book.

Bio: Micheál O'Connell is the Associate Professor, Creative & Critical Practice. Course Convenor: BA in Media Production /