At the vibrant intersection of art and technology, Re:Humanism stands as a pioneering project, exploring the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on contemporary art. Founded in 2018, this biennial award goes beyond celebrating the creative potential of new technologies, delving deeply into the ethical, social, and cultural questions they raise.

We had the privilege of interviewing Daniela Cotimbo, art historian and curator, who guided us through the genesis, evolution, and future of Re:Humanism. Below is the full interview, where Daniela shares her vision, highlights of past editions, and the challenges awaiting the next chapter of this unique initiative.

"Re:Humanism brings art and artificial intelligence into a unique dialogue. What was the initial idea behind the project, and how has it evolved over time?"

Re:Humanism was born in 2018 from a collaboration between me, an art historian and curator, and Alfredo Adamo, now CEO of Frontiere, with the aim of offering reflections on the advancements of techno-science, particularly AI. The first edition of the prize was a success, with significant participation from artists and audiences and thought-provoking discussions. This encouraged us to continue, establishing the prize as a biennial event and creating a cultural association.

Today, Re:Humanism seeks to maintain its focus even between prize editions, organizing activities such as exhibitions, performances, debates, workshops, and the production of publications.

"Looking back at past editions of the Re:Humanism Art Prize, which projects or works impressed you the most, and why? How did these pieces embody the spirit of the prize?”

It’s always difficult to single out specific projects from a collection where every piece was chosen to enhance the initiative’s goals. That said, I’ll highlight a few projects that have sparked new perspectives and collaborations.

In the first edition, Adversarial feelings by Lorem comes to mind—a project that, even in 2018-2019, experimented with generative neural networks to explore emotional states as audiovisual flows. This was Lorem’s first project using AI, and it led to further collaborations, including a publication with his Krisis Publishing house. 

The second edition, held in the immediate post-pandemic period, focused heavily on our relationship with nature and other living species. A standout project was Epitaphs for the Human Artist by Numero Cromatico, a multidisciplinary research center in neuroaesthetics. Their work included an installation and a publication of poems generated by a neural network trained to create epitaphs—poetic forms presented alongside a study on primary colors, highlighting the evocative power of "alien" poetry.

From the third edition, I’d mention Ai Love, Ghosts and Uncanny Valleys <3 . I Broke up with my Ai and will never download them again by Mara Oscar Cassiani. This project offered a poignant reflection on toxic relationships mediated by social platforms, affective chatbots, and customizable avatars. The participatory installation allowed visitors to interact with discarded, sexualized avatars through cushions on a fake grass setup, addressing digital exploitation while also offering resources to combat online abuse.

These are just a few of the many projects that have enriched our experience over the years. Some are even part of the collection hosted at Frontiere’s headquarters in Rome.

"The Re:Humanism Art Prize invites contemporary artists to engage with AI-related themes. What can we expect this year? What is the theme for the 2025 edition? What are the main selection criteria, and what kind of dialogue do you aim to foster with the public through these creations? When and where will the selected works be exhibited?"

Compared to previous years, this edition of Re:Humanism will take a more specific approach, delving into some of the issues surrounding new artificial intelligence models, commonly known as LLMs. Artists will be invited to reflect on their creative potential, explore how AI can be utilized from feminist and decolonial perspectives, and address the theme of sustainability.

It’s a significant challenge that, in our view, aligns with the growing accessibility of tools enabling everyone to test both the potential and risks of this technology.

The selection process will remain the same: a mixed jury composed of experts in contemporary art, media art, and advanced technologies will evaluate proposals based on the quality of the submission, the robustness of the project and the artist, originality, and thematic sensitivity.

There will also be some new developments regarding the awards, which we are not yet ready to announce. However, we can confirm that the exhibition will be hosted by Fondazione Pastificio Cerere and will take place in June 2025.

"How is AI redefining the role of artists and the creative process? What challenges and opportunities do you see for the future of art in relation to technology?"

I see challenges for everyone, but I see art as an opportunity to face them! I’m quite critical of the debate that fascinates many, namely the interference between human artists and AI as a creative entity.

AI is undoubtedly changing how we conceive and produce art—and, as always with new technologies, this is both good and bad. On the positive side, AI expands expressive possibilities, even for those who might not be entirely comfortable with visual or digital media.

On the other hand, it’s often forgotten that behind the magic of a prompt lies a learning and generative process that operates with autonomous, recursive dynamics, often marked by biases, errors, and other dysfunctions. Not settling for results and learning to observe them critically is essential for the proper use of AI in the artistic field, and this is the invitation we extend to all artists.

Another important point: reflecting on AI has taught me that the future that matters most to me isn’t the one I can predict, but the one I can build.

"Re:Humanism tackles ethical and social issues related to AI. What are the most pressing implications that art can help us better understand?"

We are living in a rather dark era, where disinformation and echo chambers are increasingly driving polarization and radicalization of opinions.

This phenomenon is rooted in a burdensome history of discrimination that has, for years, shaped technological advancements.  

Techno-scientific progress is not neutral; it is created by people who often design from asymmetric perspectives and objectives. While some issues related to AI are not new, it continues to present significant problems, including discrimination against women, non-conforming individuals, and people of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds. These challenges become even more dangerous when we lose the ability to trace their origins.  

Advanced interfaces of large language models (LLMs) allow us to generate increasingly sophisticated and realistic content using natural language. The problem will arise when these tools are fully integrated into search engines, potentially excluding non-repetitive but culturally diverse results.  

We also know that many big tech companies that pledged to meet sustainability goals —regarding energy consumption, resource use, and CO2 emissions—are failing to achieve these targets, largely due to the demands of artificial intelligence.  

This raises an urgent question: how can we design technologies that do not further endanger the planet's health and well-being but instead provide solutions to mitigate the damage already done?  

How can art help us? Artists have never stopped questioning these issues, although today they are asked to pay greater attention to the context surrounding them. Advanced technologies represent new forms of language that shape our experience, and major themes like time, space, intimacy, relationships, and memory have evolved in response to these discoveries.  

Artists can amplify this perspective because they have the unique ability to delve into the heart of these issues, overturn established viewpoints, and, more often than not, act as outstanding inventors.  

The importance of an ongoing dialogue

Re:Humanism is more than an award—it’s a platform for questioning the potential and limits of AI through the critical lens of contemporary art. The challenges faced by artists today are not just about creative experimentation but also about building a more inclusive, sustainable, and conscious technological future.

To learn more about Re:Humanism and the 2025 edition, follow our blog and official project channels. Stay connected to explore how art and technology can come together to redefine our perception of the world.