Qingyi Ren (任晴宜, They/Them) is a Science and Technology Studies (STS) researcher at Critical Media Lab Basel, a mentor in the MA Transversal Design program at Basel Academy of Art and Design FHNW, and a lecturer in MA Interaction Design at UAL London College of Communication.
Their research examines machine learning and AI as sociotechnical systems, with particular attention to how categories, datasets, and computational practices are produced, negotiated, and situated within specific institutional and cultural contexts. Informed by Science and Technology Studies (STS) and queer studies, their work investigates the politics of classification and knowledge production, as well as the assumptions and forms of normativity embedded in computational systems.
Their PhD project “Queerness as Gap” is funded by The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) from 2024 to 2028.
Email
Instagram
ABOUT ME
Edtion
2023
Artist:
Jisoo Lim, Qingyi Ren
"Editon" is an immersive exploration of AI-generated art that exposes the undercurrents of stereotypes within technology. This interactive installation takes viewers through an iterative process: from text to image and back, shedding light on the inadvertent biases AI can amplify.
The project begins with raw textual prompts, showcasing the artist's descriptions that sparked the AI's creativity. As visitors envision the potential visuals, they're led to AI-generated images – a fusion of language and imagery. Yet, the true revelation comes when the AI is tasked again, using its own images to re-imagine the original descriptions. This cycle uncovers the complexities of bias woven into AI's learning. Through subtle alterations, visitors witness how stereotypes embedded in the AI's training data resurface, magnifying potential harm. "Editon" prompts discussions about ethical AI development, inviting viewers to reflect on their role in shaping technology's impact on society.