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Visualising AI

What does AI look like? We’re working with artists and animators to break existing stereotypes — and create a more inclusive image of AI.

Expanding our vision of what AI looks like

Streams of code. Glowing blue brains. White robots, and men in suits.

If you search online for AI, those are the kind of misleading representations you’ll find — in news stories, advertising, and personal blogs.

These stereotypes can negatively impact public perceptions of AI technologies by perpetuating long-held biases. They also often exclude global perspectives, and this lack of diversity can further amplify social inequalities.

Through our Visualising AI program, we commission artists from around the world to create more diverse and accessible representations of AI. These images are inspired by conversations with our scientists, engineers, and ethicists.

Diversifying the way we visualise emerging technologies is the first step to expanding the wider public’s vision of what AI can look like today – and tomorrow.

A 3D rendering of a protein molecule, showing its complex structure with various components such as alpha helices, beta sheets, and loops. The molecule is depicted in vibrant colors against a dark blue background.

Protein folding by Twistedpoly

Proteins are the building blocks of life, and understanding their structure is key to unlocking their function. Our AI system AlphaFold made a fundamental breakthrough on the 50-year-old protein folding grand challenge.

Sustainability by Dada Projects

AI has the potential to make our societies more sustainable. By analyzing vast datasets and uncovering patterns that may elude traditional methods, AI can significantly enhance our understanding of environmental challenges and drive more effective solutions.

Changing what AI looks like to the world

Since launching Visualising AI, we have commissioned 13 artists to create more than 100 artworks, gaining over 125 million views, and 1 million downloads. Our imagery has been used by media outlets, research and civil society organizations.

All artworks are free to download and use.

Explore new ways of visualising AI:

The artists’ interpretation of AI

The artists we work with have complete creative freedom to explore unconventional, even challenging interpretations of AI.

Our artists

Quantum computing by Bakken & Baeck

Generative AI allows people to develop entirely new videos, images, and music. This powerful technology could change how people create and by pushing the boundaries of imagination.

Generative AI by Winston Duke

Generative AI uses algorithms to create entirely new content, like text, video, images, and music, pushing the boundaries of imagination. This powerful technology holds immense potential for many applications.

Visualising emerging technologies

The artworks below illustrate key themes in AI connected to new research, technologies or real-world impact.

Each piece offers a new route into understanding a complex subject – from artificial general intelligence (AGI) and robotics to sustainability and generative AI.

A visualisation of 3D shapes in different forms and colours spaced out across the image. With small blocks of objects that look like crowds of people.

AI and Society by Novoto Studio

AI and society are transforming together. Research is exploring the impact of AI on individuals and society and how they can harness the benefits through AI tools and mitigate risks through equitable development.

A 3D image of a topography of blue circular and triangular beads, with taller blue and purple beads spiking from the ground.

AGI by Domhnall Malone

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) describes AI that would be more generally capable in human-like ways. Many AI systems are good at specific tasks, but more general AI could be a transformative tool.

An image of a butterfly perched on a branch, surrounded by seemingly energised earthy elements.

Biodiversity by Nidia Dias

Biodiversity describes the breadth of life on Earth. Using AI, researchers can better understand, track and ultimately, find ways to protect plants and animals to ecosystems.

An illustration multicoloured network of cubes, orbs, and other shapes, with crosses and arrows pointing in different directions.

Chip Design by Champ Panupong Techawongthawon

Chip design is at the core of our phones, computers and digital lives. Producing new computer chips can take years of work, but AI-based approaches can speed up the design of more powerful and efficient circuits.

An image of a large detailed shape filled with ripples and gelatinous textures, of orange, yellow, blue, black and purple.

Data Labelling by Ariel Lu

Data labelling makes data usable to train AI, but the human labour behind it is often undervalued. Ethics research sheds light on the human involvement in AI and the importance of ethical data labour.

Digital Biology by Khyati Trehan

Digital biology, or computational biology, is the use of data and AI to study life. This ranges from simulating biological systems to harnessing AI to uncover patterns in the natural world.

An image of a purple and black geometric mesh akin to a computer's circuit board.

Neuroscience by Rose Pilkington

Neuroscience and AI have created a virtuous cycle in research. Early work on neural networks were inspired by psychology and neuroscience, and similarly approaches in AI can help teach us about ways in which humans may think.

An image of a shape that resembles a ‘spinal cord’ with a curved string of shaped and a disc shape in the middle.

Robotics by Wes Cockx

Robotics and more broadly embodied AI, describe AI that can take a physical form in the real or simulated world. By combining AI systems with an understanding of physical dynamics and different types of agents, these technologies can be used more easily in the real world.

An image of colourful 3D shapes floating and squashing together, in a frame of darker shapes.

Video Compression by Vincent Schwenk

Video compression allows billions of people to watch videos around the world. Using AI to compress videos more efficiently, makes streaming faster and saves data and energy on a global scale.

Envisioning the future of AI

AI takes many different forms. We need a more diverse and accessible picture of how AI can impact society.

We’re excited to explore these possibilities through Visualising AI. Together with our artistic partners, we’re hoping to engage more people in shaping what AI looks like in the world.