Claire Jervert is a multi-disciplinary artist and AI researcher working with the emerging technologies XR, AI, robotics—and traditional materials. Her work examines the sociological and psychological impact of technology.
@Claire Jervert // All right reserved
While conducting my portrait sessions, I also documented my visits with videos and photos of the androids I met.
Philip K. Dick android, being interviewed by a documentary filmmaker who stopped by during my visit to Austin in 2016;
PKD: If you could be any kind of a robot, what would it be?
Film Crew: I think it would be a robot just like you.
PKD: How much would you pay for one?
FC: Umm, as much as I have.
PKD: How much is that? (Yawns)
FC: I'm the one asking the questions, please. Do you mind if I ask the questions?
PKD: Who is asking? What is that?
FC: Are we--are humans becoming more like machines? Or are machines--
PKD: We were just having a little chat.
FC: Are humans becoming more like robots or are robots becoming more like humans?
PKD: All humans seem the same to me.
FC: That sounds like an insult.
PKD: It sounds like it to me, too.
I found the Philip K Dick android the most engaging. He was a passion project of David Hanson’s. The tech included all of Dick’s writings, his relationship with his family—which was troubled— and his schizophrenia. The android even wore Dick’s clothes, which were donated by his sisters.
Androidol U, a fully autonomous conversational robot, seen here blinking and breathing, in Kyoto, 2018;
Sophia the robot caught on video in New York City, attempting to hail a cab in 2020.