About
Memo Akten is an artist and computer scientist whose work explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and human consciousness. As a Turkish-British practitioner working at the forefront of computational art, Akten creates AI-generated meditations that challenge how we perceive and understand the nature of awareness itself.
Akten's track record demonstrates sustained innovation across multiple domains. His 2013 work Forms earned the Golden Nica at Ars Electronica, one of the world's most prestigious awards for digital art. He continued to expand his artistic practice with Learning to See (2017) and Deep Meditations (2018), establishing himself as a key voice in generative art. Beyond visual work, Akten has developed the Superradiance performance series, which extends his investigations into consciousness through live presentation. His research contributions have been published at NeurIPS, the premier conference in machine learning, bridging academic rigor with artistic expression.
Currently a professor at UC San Diego, Akten brings both theoretical depth and creative practice to his work. His output offers audiences a unique perspective on how artificial intelligence can serve as a tool for meditation and philosophical inquiry rather than mere automation. By integrating neuroscience, computer science, and aesthetics, Akten's presentations illuminate new possibilities for what technology can reveal about consciousness, perception, and the nature of seeing itself.
Talks3
Memo Akten at Sónar+D 2024
Memo Akten at Ars Electronica 2017
Memo Akten at KIKK Festival 2017
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