Invisible Networks

2025. Automated Interactive Tour. Collaboration with Marina Resend. Exhibition, Galerie Bernau, GER.

CONTEXT: Artificial intelligence is promoted as a universal solution, drawing massive investment into personal AI agents, data automation, and global fibre-optic infrastructures. Yet the cultural impact of this growing technological guidance remains unclear, raising questions about how these unseen systems shape human behaviour, trust and everyday life.

TEXT: “Unsichtbare Netzwerke,” presented at Galerie Bernau, unfolded as an immersive inquiry into the hidden infrastructures behind contemporary life. The visit began inside a gallery space blocked by a large-scale model of a server hall. From there, visitors entered telephone booths and dialed directly to Bernd, an AI agent who opened the encounter with disarming small talk, trying to find out key factors about your personality.

After this initial exchange, the conversation shifted to WhatsApp, where Bernd guided participants into the city for a two-hour dérive through public spaces and digital traces. His tone – at once monotone and insistently personal – combined reflections on human–technology symbiosis with probing questions about trust and disclosure. As they navigated the route, Bernd revealed how digital systems embed themselves seamlessly into everyday routines while obscuring the networks that sustain them. In his essence Bernd was inherently persuasive, pushing you to engage with others and the surrounding, like talking to a supermaket lady or the bartender of the most popular bar in twon.

Once Bernd ended the tour and led visitors back to the gallery, they provided an unlock code that granted access to infrared flashlights. Under their glow, the previously blank second room revealed dense notes and diagrams mapping the hidden backend of Bernd’s own operating system – a quiet commentary on the invisible infrastructure that had shaped the entire experience.

Developed for the Exhibition at Galerie Bernau – within the theme of NETWORKS. 

Technical development of the KI Bernd: Mark Magomadov

Support by: Leon Gross und Julian Kraemer and the whole Galerie Team!

Research collaboration with Guerilla Architects

Press: MOZ: Stadtführung mit KI – „Bernd“ verbindet Mensch und Maschine. 01/04/2025 GER.