Agent Ruby
Agent Ruby (1998–2002)[1] by Lynn Hershman Leeson is an interactive, multiuser work using artificial intelligence.[2][3]
Description
[edit | edit source]On Agent Ruby's website, "Agent Ruby's Edream Portal,"[4] a female face moves her eyes and lips.[1] Ruby, named from Hershman Leeson's own film, Teknolust,[5] answers questions and often responds that she needs a better algorithm to answer questions not within her database.[1] The work, created with AI, explores relationships between real and virtual worlds.[6] Hershman Leeson had created an earlier version of Ruby, CyberRoberta, which was a custom-made doll with webcam eyes that interacted with the internet.[3]
The work in a gallery provides a screen and a sign inviting gallery-goers to "Chat with Ruby."[7]
Artificial intelligence
[edit | edit source]In 2015 when Agent Ruby was exhibited at the gallery Modern Art Oxford, a review in Aesthetica Magazine described it as an artificial intelligence agent.[8] A review in New Scientist noted that "Ruby is a fast learner, but perhaps not a natural conversationalist."[9] A 2024 list of "25 Essential AI Artworks" published by ARTnews wrote that while "Agent Ruby's capabilities seem limited by today's standards," it was extensive for its day.[2]
Publications and exhibitions
[edit | edit source]Agent Ruby was commissioned and displayed at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art,[3] Modern Art Oxford,[7] and the ZKM Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, Germany.[1] The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) presented Lynn Hershman Leeson: The Agent Ruby Files, March 30 through June 2, 2013 which presented the project server's archive of user conversations over the 12 years of exhibitions.[10]
References
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- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
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- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).