Artist Uses Distorted AI Images of Herself to Regain Agency over AI Depictions
• Herndon and Dryhurst created an AI model called xhairymutantx that generates bizarre, exaggerated images of artist Holly Herndon. It is featured in the Whitney Biennial.
• The goal is to flood AI image datasets with these distorted pictures of Herndon to give her more control over how she is depicted by AI.
• They want to highlight issues around lack of consent and agency when AI creates images of individuals without their input.
• The project shows how you have to play by AI systems' rules to have any chance of regaining control over your representation.
• Herndon and Dryhurst believe working inside AI systems is better than abandoning them entirely when trying to make them more ethical.