From May 8–10, a representative of Connect International participated in the “Ethics and Aesthetics of Artificial Image” conference, held on the island of San Servolo in Venice. The three-day gathering brought together world-renowned artists and academics coming from Australia, Japan, the U.S., and Europe to explore the deep implications of AI-generated images, deepfakes, and the evolving relationship between technology, truth, and representation.

Throughout the event, key discussions centered on the intersection between machine learning and media aesthetics, with particular focus on how artificial images are reshaping our perception of reality. Thought-provoking concepts like ethical data animism, hybrid ecologies highlighted the human–tech entanglement and its impact on nature and identity.

In one of the many panels, participants critically examined the rise of deepfakes—referencing Europol’s prediction that by 2026, 90% of online content may be AI-generated—and debated whether these tools mark the end of truth as we know it or represent a new form of visual storytelling. Ethical and legal frameworks, such as the AI Act and other EU regulations, were discussed in relation to free speech, misinformation, and artistic expression.

In a time when AI tools blur the line between fiction and documentation, the “Ethics and Aesthetics of Artificial Image” conference served as a vital space for critical dialogue, artistic exchange, and collective reflection.