Interactive installation

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Emotional Counter is part of The Falling City, a project that proposes to measure the levels of emotional expression in the city through surveillance systems powered by artificial intelligence. This work develops advanced machine learning algorithms based on data collected by surveillance cameras, in order to gain actionable insights into human behavior.

Unlike conventional surveillance systems, The Falling City trains a new AI system to recognize emotional behavior in public spaces, measuring levels of empathy and affection through three actions: kissing, hugging and hand-holding. The goal is to map the city in terms of emotionality, generating a debate about the desirability and value of public surveillance systems.

This work poses artificial empathy as the main focus, questioning the ethical implications of surveillance systems and developing an artistic proposal that “hacks” AI technology, focusing on positive human relationships. The goal is to prototype a technology that helps citizens reconnect with their affective side and provides a new way to experience the urban environment.

Credits: EUDD with support from Gluon.

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Artist: Noemi Iglesias Barrios.

Work included in the exhibition Digital Machines. Technology, Industry, Society.