A house offers protection, it is a place where you feel comfortable and familiar, a home. This home is located in the small Greek town of Kozani. Of course, the word house only stands for a symbolic place, but for the initiative of the InteractionSeeds project partner Clube (The Cluster of Bioeconomy and Environment of Western Macedonia) it is exactly that. With their House of Artificial Intelligence, they want to create a space that invites young and adult people to approach the topic of artificial intelligence openly and without fear.
Artificial intelligence is a complex and difficult topic and yet it has long since found its way into our everyday lives. Artificial intelligence accompanies us in almost all life situations. But how do you deal with it when you don’t understand it?
Artists and creatives can be the key. This is exactly what the Clube initiative is based on. Photographers, journalists and artists empower students and employees through the application of artificial intelligence to evaluate it and use it sensibly.
At the end of June this year, Clube invited 44 Kozani residents to the House of Artificial Intelligence. Two workshops in which articles were creatively written for a local magazine and photos were transformed into works of art supported by AI, accompanied by inspiring presentations, making a lasting impression on the participants. But this was only the first act, two more encounters in the House of Artificial Intelligence are to follow.
IMPACT OF THE INITIATIVE
The "House of AI - Kozani Edition" event held on June 27 at the Koventareios Municipal Library's amphitheatre was a transformative experience for employees across diverse sectors. This gathering brought together experts, citizens, and AI enthusiasts to explore the variety of applications of AI, discuss its risks and potentials, and delve into how AI can augment creativity and art. Ethical considerations surrounding AI, such as data privacy and algorithmic bias, were thoroughly examined, fostering awareness about responsible AI usage. Furthermore, the event underscored AI's role in advancing Kozani's climate neutrality goals by 2030, demonstrating how digital tools can contribute to sustainability initiatives through creative applications of AI and IoT technologies.
The "Meta-anthropos" photography display by the municipal photography club "Photodiodos" exemplified AI's integration with art, inspiring attendees with creative possibilities. A highlight of the event was the interactive co-creation workshop, where participants engaged in discussions and shared their insights via Post-it notes and MentiMeter. This interactive approach not only facilitated community engagement but also provided real-time feedback on AI usage perceptions and readiness for AI integration in Kozani. The collaborative atmosphere fostered networking opportunities among attendees, promoting cross-sector collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Overall, the event left a lasting impact on employees by expanding their understanding of AI applications, promoting ethical AI practices, stimulating creativity, supporting sustainability goals, and fostering community engagement and collaboration across Kozani. It empowered attendees to embrace AI's potential in their professional, creative and artistic endeavours while contributing to the city's technological advancement and sustainability objectives.
