Hess Gallery shows an Indigenous-led exploration of AI

The University of Lethbridge's Hess Gallery is presenting Abundant Memory: Relational Intelligence, featuring work by nine Indigenous artists from the Niitsitapi Pod of the Indigenous-led Abundant Intelligences research program; the exhibit is on display through next Friday and is free to attend.

The University of Lethbridge's Hess Gallery is presenting Abundant Memory: Relational Intelligence, an exhibit of work by nine Indigenous artists connected to the Niitsitapi Pod of the Abundant Intelligences research program. The Abundant Intelligences program is Indigenous-led and focuses on conceptualizing, designing and developing AI informed by Indigenous knowledge systems; it is led by Amethyst First Rider and Leroy Little Bear. Artist Walker English spent time as an artist in residence with the Niitsitapi Pod and visited sites significant to the Blackfoot people, including Writing on Stone, the Buffalo drum and Majorville Medicine Wheel. English's work draws on those places and on themes of displacement, grief and Blackfoot ceremony. Key facts: - Abundant Memory: Relational Intelligence presents creative outcomes from nine Indigenous artists who participated in the Niitsitapi Pod. - The Abundant Intelligences research program is Indigenous-led and seeks to develop AI grounded in Indigenous knowledge systems; Amethyst First Rider and Leroy Little Bear lead the program. - Walker English cites Writing on Stone (Aisinai'pi) as a major source of inspiration and references site symbols and stories in his pieces. - English's exhibited works include a canvas addressing Blackfoot displacement and a sculpture made with sticks, mud from the Old Man River, and his own cut hair to represent processes of grieving. - English has said AI can be used to revitalize Indigenous ways of knowing but must be approached cautiously where sacred teachings are concerned. - The exhibit is on display at the Hess Gallery through next Friday and is free to attend. Summary: The exhibit brings Indigenous-led artistic responses into conversation with research on AI and Blackfoot cultural sites, highlighting memory, ceremony and personal experience. The display remains at the Hess Gallery through next Friday and is free to the public.