About this Event
As artificial intelligence reshapes the creative, scientific, and philosophical landscape, what does it mean to create—and to be creative—alongside machines? Join us for a conversation among artist-researchers working at the edges of art, AI, and agency. From genetic algorithms modeling protein structures to artistic interventions that resist exploitative data scraping, our speakers interrogate the promise and danger of generative and agentic AI systems. Together, they explore how AI functions as both a tool and a mirror—remixing dominant narratives, revealing hidden biases, and posing urgent questions about authorship, originality, and ownership.
This event is presented in celebration of the 40th anniversary of San José State University’s CADRE Laboratory for New Media, which has supported generations of artists and researchers through its commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, experimentation, and critical engagement with emerging technologies. Honoring that legacy, this panel invites a speculative and critical approach to artificial intelligence, considering AI not only as a technological force but as a cultural one. Can computational systems “create”? How might artists, scientists, and thinkers respond—and resist?
Register to receive the broadcast link and ask questions for our experts to answer live during the broadcast.
Speakers/Experts
Rhonda Holberton uses technology to explore the relationship between the biological body and geologic time, revealing their material and environmental impacts on both individual and planetary scales. Her work—spanning animation, digital interventions, sculpture, and installation—navigates the intersections of the material and immaterial, the authentic and synthetic, often addressing the phenomenology of climate change and the future of digital systems. She has exhibited internationally at venues including RMIT Gallery (Melbourne), La Becque (Switzerland), and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (San Francisco). Her work is in the permanent collections of the Whitney, SFMOMA, and the McEvoy Foundation. Holberton holds an MFA from Stanford University and is an Associate Professor of Digital Media at San José State University.
Gianmarc Grazioli, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Computational Chemistry at San José State University, where he develops AI-guided computer simulation methods for studying molecular motions and self-assembly in chemistry and biophysics. Dr. Grazioli earned his Ph.D. in Theoretical Physical Chemistry from UC Irvine, where he was also a Data Science Fellow, a Pedagogical Fellow, and later, a postdoctoral researcher at Calit2, where he gained additional expertise in artificial intelligence and network statistics. Prof. Grazioli is passionate about accessible STEM education, with over 1.2 million views of his videos across multiple YouTube channels.
Janet Stemwedel is a philosopher of science (with a misspent scientific youth as a physical chemist) who works on the ethics of scientific practice, broadly construed. She holds PhDs in Philosophy and in Chemistry from Stanford University, and is Professor and Chair of Philosophy at San José State University in addition to directing the Center on Ethics.
Resources
Artwork
“Calife” artwork provided by: Rucker, Rudy (1996) "Rudy Rucker's Julgnarl," SWITCH: Artificial Life Vol. 3: No. 1, Article 13.
Inspired by an interview with Stephen Wolfram, Rucker joined the faculty of San José State University as a computer science professor in 1986 and served until his retirement as professor emeritus in 2004. From 1988 to 1992, he worked for John Walker at Autodesk as a cellular automata programmer.
Partners
QuickBites is an initiative sponsored by H&A in Action at San José State University (a California State University campus) to bring you informal conversations about the most urgent news of the moment.
Broadcast on SJSU’s main web page, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook as well as the Hammer Theatre Center’s Vimeo page. Join us for real time chat and submit your questions in advance using our Google Form or during the broadcast from the live chat wherever you’re watching. This QuickBites will be recorded and available for later viewing on H&A in Action: QuickBites.
Advanced Institute for Ethical Technologies logo created by SJSU graphic design student, Sofia Robledo Campos.
Responsible Computing Club logo created by SJSU Art student, Jennifer Low.
For questions, contact Dr. Katherine D. Harris, Director of Public Programming & Outreach (katherine.harris@sjsu.edu)
2 people are interested in this event
