The art of noticing…

October 7, 2024 8 By Miranda Wenc

This summer I was lucky to be accepted into the ECE Summer Institute at the University of Regina. I took two classes over 3 weeks, and it was intense — but so good! The content was focused on Issues and Research in ECE, and Theories of Play and Learning. One of the underlying themes was the act of recognizing the complexity of place, and the identity and power associated with. We explored the power of self, the power of objects and the power of social dynamics. Theories of new materialism, relationality, and entanglements informed our inquiry and experiences.

Why the pre-amble? Noticing. Unplugged and playing with others, I began to notice much more than I did before. On one particularly impactful “unplugged” walk, I was amazed at the new birds I heard, the temperature changes I felt in the air under the trees, and the unique decorations humans adorn their dwellings with, regardless of wealth.

What do we notice about AI? What do we notice about its place? What do we notice about its intent? And the ever important question, what aren’t we noticing? What don’t we see, hear or feel?

What I notice?

  • AI as owned and “parented” by those with power (signified by an education and access to technology)
  • The whispers of old dead white men echoing epistemological hegemony and bias
  • Rage-bait and highlight reels sowing disconnection and polarization: AI generating content for engagement and interaction
  • The perception of ease: AI being used to increase productivity and efficiency
    • Interaction, Engagement and Efficiency are meant to promote profit
  • Be all you can be! Seize power!: AI signifies super-human abilities, potentially as amazing as inter-species communication, or as simple the “power” to write the best darn essay in grade 6. Never feel inadequate again!

What is missing?

  • Voices and social order of non-dominant cultures
  • Decreased focus on the natural world and the aesthetic spiritual connections between humans and the earth (although my foot may be firmly in my mouth if AI does crack interspecies communication)
  • Real human connection,  conflict and resolution
  • The journey of struggle and persistence
  • Content for connection and reduced perception gaps
  • Promotion of inaction, simply being, and mindfulness
  • Equity for all: resources and profit included
  • Embracing simplicity, imperfection and the unknown

I really wish to know what you notice! Please comment below. Disagree with me, agree with me, or share something new!