Datasphinx
Datasphinx (2019) is an interactive artwork that exposes the dual nature of internet enterprises that rely on user data. It presents the visitor with an innocent riddle to be solved. As time progress, though, the conversation becomes more personal. The visitors can then volunteer data to be assimilated or resist at their own peril.
The artwork uses speech-to-text and natural language processing to engage the visitor in a conversation. The algorithm employs direct and reflective questions to fulfill its directives to extract a predefined information profile from the unsuspecting visitor. If a certain type of information is not identified in the answers the system becomes more insistent, eventually demanding for the questions to be answered. If that happens, the sphinx reveals its true nature, switching the text color from blue to bright pink. An observant visitor, though, can notice something is amiss by the use of old English words and the fixation in some personal questions.
The artwork uses speech-to-text and natural language processing to engage the visitor in a conversation. The algorithm employs direct and reflective questions to fulfill its directives to extract a predefined information profile from the unsuspecting visitor. If a certain type of information is not identified in the answers the system becomes more insistent, eventually demanding for the questions to be answered. If that happens, the sphinx reveals its true nature, switching the text color from blue to bright pink. An observant visitor, though, can notice something is amiss by the use of old English words and the fixation in some personal questions.
Datasphinx was part of the VT SOVA Faculty Triennial group exhibition, from 04/04/2019 to 05/04/2019 at Moss Arts Center, Blacksburg,VA.