Call for artists: Living with data science and AI

Overview 

We are seeking proposals for a static and potentially interactive artwork or sculpture that will spark curiosity and engage the public - encouraging them to consider the profound impact of AI on our lives. The theme of the piece could be aligned with the Institute’s research challenges in defence and security, environment and sustainability, and health - or more broadly exploring human-AI interaction. 

The artwork should not only be visually captivating but should also be accessible to a broad and diverse group of people. The selected artist will have the opportunity to work with our world-class researchers at The Alan Turing Institute to gain insights into the intricacies of AI and its risks and benefits applied to public life. 

The piece will be displayed prominently on the UN Green in London – an outside, publicly accessible space in front of the venue, opposite Westminster Abbey. 

Objectives 

• Display an engaging and thought-provoking artwork that explores the impact of AI on people's lives and resonates with the Turing’s research and innovation. 
• To showcase an aspect, idea or experience of AI in a way that is accessible to a diverse group of non-expert publics. 
• To present a fair and balanced view of AI and/or data science, avoiding dystopian portrayals or stereotypes. 
• To promote sustainability by creating an artwork with a purpose beyond the AI UK event, ensuring that it can be repurposed or recycled.

Specifications 

Theme: Living with data science and AI. 

Location: The UN Green outside the QE11 Centre in Westminster - the venue for AI UK 2024, our annual flagship event. The artwork should be designed with the outdoor setting in mind; there is no shelter and so the piece will be exposed to the elements. 

Audience: The primary audience for the art installation is the public/ passersby at the UN Green in Westminster. The secondary audience is AI UK attendees, which will consist largely of academics, students, policymakers and industry professionals. 

Sustainability: The artwork should be created with sustainability in mind. Consider using materials that have been or can be repurposed, recycled, or reused.

Size and composition: The art installation should be large enough to attract the attention of passersby, whilst bearing in mind ease of transport and assembly. The piece may be a single piece or a composite and should be no taller or wider than 2.5 metres. 

Budget: The total budget for the final artwork is up to a maximum of £8,000 including VAT. This budget should cover all expenses, including fees, design, production, installation, and any required permits or insurance. The selected artist would be required to provide an itemised list of costs to demonstrate value for money. The cost of transport from your studio to the venue will be covered separately. 

Research: The selected artist will have the access to our researchers at The Alan Turing Institute. However, artists are expected to conduct their research for the submission. 

Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI): The art installation should be cognisant of EDI, and not perpetuate common stereotypes pertaining to gender, ethnicity, ability, etc. The artwork, where possible, should be accessible to people from all walks of life and with different needs.

Considerations 

Health and safety: The art installation must pose minimal risk to the public, and not comprise of any materials that may cause bodily harm. It must be sturdy and stand upright – either through its design or with a secure stand. 

Access to power: There will be no access to mains power and use of generators are not permitted. 

Local area: The art installation will be displayed on public property within the jurisdiction of Westminster Council. Artworks must be designed and constructed with local rules and restrictions in mind, such as Environmental Health and proximity to the House of Parliament. 

Ownership: The artwork becomes the property of The Alan Turing Institute after installation by artist/design team. A contract for this project will provide for the appropriate care and maintenance of the work, artist’s copyright and acknowledgement. 

Contractual arrangements: The successful artist will be engaged by The Alan Turing Institute and the payment schedule will be in the form of staged payments to be agreed prior to the development of contract.

Requirements 

Submission: Your initial submission should contain no more than six A4 pages (not including your CV, portfolio or insurance details). 

Response to the brief: This should include a sketch design and written outline of your approach to the brief, addressing each of the specifications. 

Budget: Overall cost of the piece, including transport and installation, as well as a rough breakdown of costings, including your time.

Portfolio: Three to five examples of your work and information about each piece, including budget; your CV; link to website/social media/other online portfolio. 

Insurance: Evidence of public liability insurance. 

References: Contact details of at least two recent referees (email address and phone number). 

Contact details: Your email address and phone number. 

Process 

Application: Candidates should email their application (ensuring all items stated in the requirements section are included) via email, to [email protected] no later than 17:00 (GMT) on Wednesday 13 December 2023. Please use subject heading: AIUK art installation application.

Shortlist: Up to four submissions will be shortlisted in January and given the opportunity to provide a prototype or a more detailed drawing of their submission, following any feedback from the panel. Shortlisted artists will be awarded £250 for their time to do so. 

We would like to display the shortlisted designs within the AI UK event venue across 18-20 March 2024. If you would prefer to opt out of this, please state so in your application email. This will not affect the selection process for the final commission.

Review criteria: Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of senior communications and scientific leads at The Alan Turing Institute and will be scored using a linear numeric scale according to the following criteria: 

• Experience of working on public installations (20%) 
• Relevance - to current data science and AI news & Turing Research and Innovation (20%) 
• Accessibility – both physically and clarity of concept (20%) 
• Novelty of content or approach (15%) 
• Sustainability and value for money (15%)

Queries and support: For any queries, including reasonable adjustments to remove barriers to participation, please email [email protected], or call Jessie Pearce on 020 3862 3321 between the hours of 09:00–17:00 (GMT), Monday-Friday. 

Key dates: 

Call opens – Wednesday 15 November 2023 

Call closes – Wednesday 13 December 2023 

Shortlist & notifications – Friday 12 January 2024 

Shortlist resubmission deadline – Friday 26 January 2024 

Applicants notified of outcome – Friday 2 February 2024

About The Alan Turing Institute 

The Alan Turing Institute, headquartered in London’s King’s Cross, is the UK’s national institute for data science and AI. The Institute is named in honour of Alan Turing (23 June 1912 – 7 June 1954), whose pioneering work in theoretical and applied mathematics, engineering and computing are considered to be the key disciplines comprising the fields of data science and artificial intelligence. 

Our purpose is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research to change the world for the better. We are here to help to make the UK the best place in the world for data science and AI research, collaboration, and business. 

Learn more about the Turing on   www.turing.ac.uk

About AI UK 

Now in its fourth year, AI UK is the Turing’s national showcase of data science and AI. 

Across 50 sessions, world-leading speakers from academia, industry and the public sector will explore the latest innovations in data science and AI. This will include topics such as foundational AI, digital twins, AI ethics, and regulation. 

This showcase will play an important role in achieving the goals of The Alan Turing Institute new strategy to drive an informed public conversation and provide balanced views on data science and AI. 

Learn more about AI UK on  www.ai-uk.turing.ac.uk