Technopolis opens a temporary zone dedicated to AI

This week saw the inauguration of AI! at Technopolis, a temporary thematic zone on artificial intelligence. Thanks to this zone, the Mechelen science and technology center wants to familiarize everyone from the age of twelve with AI and prepare them for what Technopolis calls the ‘(r)technological evolution of the century’.

In IA!, visitors are introduced to artificial intelligence in different phases. Right at the entrance is the ‘surveillance speaker’ by artist Dries Depoorter, a camera that describes everything it records, including the visitors passing by. Next comes a gigantic game of goose where visitors travel through the history of AI, from the first expert systems of the 1950s to one of the first chatbots in 1966.

Social themes

Further in the area are discussed concepts such as machine learning, latent space and terms such as GAN, LMM and ASI. AI! additionally focuses on social themes (privacy, employment, etc.), and visitors can directly get acquainted with popular tools such as ChatGPT, Dream and Evolution.

‘AI! is truly a first in Flanders’, says Marjan Verhaegen, COO of Technopolis. ‘This is the first time that new technology has been made so understandable and accessible to the general public. The first visitors responded with great enthusiasm, and we therefore hope for a successful launch.’ Technopolis collaborated with De Cronos Groep, VLAIO and the National Lottery for this project.