AI & I is a cooperation between the Circus of Knowledge of Johannes Kepler University Linz and the Austrian Cultural Forum New York.

About the Event

The evening begins with a 40-minute artistic intervention: The anarchic puppet show "A.I. – A Punch Intervenes", which playfully reimagines AI through the character of Punch as a bot. Following the performance by Andreas Pfaffenberger, a panel discussion will feature Professor Martina Mara and Professor Marc Streit of Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU), and Professor Katharina Pistor of Columbia Law School. The talk will be moderated by Airan Berg, Artistic Director of the Circus of Knowledge—a theater dedicated to connecting the arts and sciences.

Martina Mara, Professor of Psychology of AI & Robotics at JKU Linz, will explore the psychological implications of anthropomorphizing AI. Why do we attribute emotions and intentions to conversational AI, and what risks does this pose for trust and decision-making? Her talk will highlight research from the Robopsychology Lab and innovative approaches to fostering AI literacy.

Marc Streit, Professor of Visual Data Science at JKU Linz, will discuss the critical role of human-AI collaboration in scientific discovery. From drug research to AI-driven analytics and explainable AI, his presentation will showcase how visualization tools empower researchers to interpret complex models and maintain human oversight in AI-powered advancements.

Katharina Pistor, Professor of Comparative Law at Columbia Law School, will examine the hidden power structures embedded in global capitalism. Her research reveals how law — often crafted behind closed doors — transforms assets like debt or financial products into capital, enabling the accumulation and protection of private wealth. Drawing from her acclaimed book The Code of Capital, she will explore how legal coding fuels inequality and shapes the modern economy.

Don’t miss this engaging fusion of science, psychology, and art as we navigate the evolving landscape of AI!

Artistic Intervention | A.I. – A Punch Intervenes

An anarchic puppet show for adults featuring "Puppetficial" intelligence. Performance by Andreas Pfaffenberger.
Is artificial intelligence truly “intelligent”? Can a non-living machine become conscious? Or are these merely our projections? Could something “artificially” created begin to think, become creative, or develop imagination? Most importantly—how? A presentation about AI escalates when an unexpected figure intervenes: Punch. Just like a chatbot, Punch is not actually alive, yet we are all too willing to believe he is a living, conscious being. Neither chatbot nor Punch cares whether what they say is true or false. For both, human categories such as truth or meaning are irrelevant—they simply generate output. Punch, like a chatbot, speaks anarchically and wildly, with little or no regard for logic or consistency. Whether Puppetficial or Artificial Intelligence, in the end, it is up to us to decide how we engage with the content they produce.

The Circus of Knowledge at Johannes Kepler University Linz

The Circus connects art and science, builds trust in scientific knowledge, creates original productions for all ages, and offers workshops with artists and scientists. It collaborates with schools and civil society, promotes international cooperation, and fosters an inclusive and interdisciplinary environment. By encouraging collaboration between traditionally distinct disciplines, the Circus of Knowledge sparks creativity and innovation. It serves as a catalyst for research projects that bridge the arts and sciences and enriches learning through a holistic understanding of complex topics. Beyond scientific literacy, the Circus emphasizes essential soft skills and public engagement.

ACFNY LATECOMER AND RSVP POLICY

It is of great importance to us that everyone can enjoy our events uninterruptedly. As a courtesy to our artists and our audience, please be so kind and be on time. We can only accept late arrivals to a minimum extent. Since our events are for free and we only have limited capacity in our theater, RSVPing does not guarantee entry. If you can no longer attend a free event, please cancel your reservation through Eventbrite online. Unclaimed reserved seats by 6:30 PM will be given to those on the waiting list. When we have reached the capacity of our theater, we will close our doors. In case there are still seats available after 6:30 PM, we will let people into the theater after the first applause. After that, we will close our doors for the evening. Furthermore, we reserve the right to cancel individual tickets at short notice. Priority will be given to guests visiting the ACFNY for the first time. And large bags, backpacks, and similar items must be checked in and cannot be brought into the theater.

Thank you very much for your understanding.

AI & I – Exploring the Psychological & Scientific Dimensions of AI

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