Wood, laser cut. 12x12 cm
My submitted work deals with the influence of artificial intelligence on contemporary society and asks how much technological systems already shape our thinking, decision-making, and perception. The starting point is the observation that artificial intelligence is increasingly taking on tasks that were previously reserved for human judgment. This not only makes life easier, but also leads to a gradual loss of personal responsibility and critical thinking.
In my work, I address the ease with which humans can be influenced and their naivety when dealing with intelligent systems. Information is often accepted without being checked, and recommendations from automated systems are perceived as objective. The line between one's own opinion and algorithmically shaped thinking begins to blur. For me, this development is part of a larger social crisis in which control, dependence, and disorientation play central roles. The work was engraved into wood using a laser cutter. For me, wood represents something original, human, and natural, while the precise, machine-made engraving symbolizes the intervention of technology. The controlled technique leaves permanent marks on the material—similar to how artificial intelligence leaves permanent marks on people's thoughts and actions. The combination of traditional material and digital manufacturing process thus reflects the tension between humans and machines.
In the context of the exhibition theme “The World in Polycrises: Art Driving Change,” my work is intended as a critical reflection on technological dependencies within our society. It aims to encourage people to question their own use of artificial intelligence and to raise awareness of the responsibility that comes with using such systems.
My name is Lucia Stockbauer. Since October 2025, I have been studying elementary school teaching at the University of Passau, majoring in German with minors in religion, art, and mathematics. In my artistic practice, I primarily focus on photography and craftsmanship, particularly in collaborative work with children. I am also interested in exploring questions of social relationships and the influence of social and digital media on everyday life in the context of current global developments.