AIAS Seminar: 'Data Intimacies: love and labour in an age of AI'

Abstract

According to a 2025 study by Harvard Business Review, the top use case of generative AI is now therapy and companionship. As we allow new kinds of technologies to observe, measure and optimize our personal and intimate lives, where are the boundaries? Thanks to improved LLMs and natural language processing, human-like conversational interactions with AI chatbots have become normalised. The proliferation of parasocial, intimate, and romantic relationships with servile AI agents are problematic on their own, but they also obfuscate the exploitative and extractive nature of the AI chatbot service business model that relies on gathering vast amounts of behavioural user data on a granular level. This project uses speculative fiction as an artistic method to stage a future scenario in which these kinds of affective AI agents are interacted with through a digitally embodied avatar in mixed-reality (MR). This conversational avatar both performs and critiques the common tropes of generative AI in relation to emotional and invisible labour, sex work, and therapeutic interactions. We aim to generate more user autonomy by heightening awareness of our human susceptibility to empathize with affective AI agents through this novel embodied MR experience, encouraging people to critically reflect on their own interactions with such agents.

Short Bio

Amy Boulton (she/her) is a contemporary artist, researcher and XR developer based in Stockholm. Her works span the fields of new media art, public art and immersive performance. Many of her art works are interactive, taking forms such as augmented reality, urban games, web-based chatbots, printmaking, sculpture, sound and video installations. She holds an MFA in Fine Arts from HDK-Valand Göteborg and BFA in Intermedia Art from Edinburgh College of Art at the University of Edinburgh. Artist website: amyboulton.info

Pablo Velasco (he/him) is Associate Professor of Digital Methods and Critical Data Studies at the department of Digital Design & Information Studies (University of Aarhus), and director of the Centre for Critical Data Practices research centre (C4CDP). He holds a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies (University of Warwick). His research critically explores digital culture and practices through the prism of technical infrastructures and digital devices. More information about his work and publications can be found at: pablov.me

What is an AIAS Seminar?

The AIAS Seminar Series is a session of seminars held by the AIAS fellows, AIAS Visiting or Tandem Fellows or by other speakers proposed by the fellows. In each seminar, a fellow will present and discuss her/his current research and work-in-progress to an interdisciplinary audience for 30 minutes, closing off with 30 minutes for questions, comments and discussion.

All seminars are in-person and held in English. To attend online, please contact us at info@aias.au.dk by 9:00am on the day of the seminar as the latest to request a link.