Kate Crawford and Vladan Joler are unique mapmakers in today’s digital age. Crawford offers insights to governments about AI’s role in our world. Recently, she traveled from New York to Gijón, Spain, for an interview after attending an urgent summit in Paris. Joler, based in Novi Sad, Serbia, is in the midst of a revolution. Together, they’ve launched Calculating Empires at the LABoral Center in Gijón, featured in the exhibition Digital Machines: Technology, Industry, Society, curated by Pablo de Soto.
The project explores the relationship between technology and power since the year 1500. According to architect Olga Subirós, it acts as a Rosetta Stone, helping us understand 500 years of Western imperialism and its modern equivalents. This work is important for grasping the intricate connections between power and technology that shape our lives.
An original version of Calculating Empires will be displayed in the upcoming Matter Matters: Designing with the World exhibition at the Museu del Disseny-Dhub, showcasing 600 pieces alongside contemporary works.
Their work is a massive 24-meter-long map showing centuries of exploration, conflict, and control. It examines how technology has influenced authority and exploitation. This visual essay reveals patterns and systems that shape our modern digital lives.
Crawford and Joler first crossed paths a decade ago, working together on issues related to AI and technology’s impact on power dynamics. They discovered that it wasn’t just about fixing hardware or algorithms; it was crucial to understand the vast infrastructure enabling technology to flourish globally.
Their first joint piece, Anatomy of an AI System, traced the journey of Amazon’s smart speaker, and is now part of major museum collections. Crawford’s book, Atlas of AI, examines the hidden costs of AI, from environmental damage to labor exploitation.
The road to Calculating Empires spanned nine years, backed by the Prada Foundation, and earned the European Union S+T+ARTS Award for innovation this year.
The Unfolding Revolution in Serbia
Meanwhile, Serbia is witnessing a significant uprising. Protests erupted after a tragic accident in November 2022 at the Novi Sad train station. On the day Calculating Empires opened, thousands of students marched from Belgrade to Novi Sad, receiving warm support along the way. Just days later, the local government faced a stark choice: respond to the protests or resign, and they chose the latter, leaving the president still in power.
The atmosphere in Serbia is unique. Traditional media seems almost irrelevant. Activists now prefer encrypted messaging apps, maintaining connections away from mainstream channels often seen as oppressive. “We’ve begun communicating differently,” Joler notes. “It’s not about likes anymore; it’s direct action.”
The protests represent a profound emotional shift. Starting from shared grief, the movement transformed into collective action, highlighting the unpredictability of human connections in times of unrest. “We believed this generation was apathetic,” Joler reflects, “but they have proven to be incredibly active.”
As students form protective circles, they focus not only on safety but on nurturing the bonds formed during this uprising. “They want to shield that connection,” he adds.
The movement is fluid and evolving, with student assemblies striving to remain politically neutral while pushing for change. “What comes next is unknown,” Joler admits, “but it’s also quite beautiful in its uncertainty.”
Mapping Power and Control
At the core of Calculating Empires lies the transformation of society through technology and power dynamics since the 1500s. Crawford emphasizes how historical advancements, like the printing press and navigation techniques, laid the groundwork for colonialism and control.
Crawford connects these developments to the present, noting how today’s technologies alter our perceptions and interactions. This reflects a pivotal moment in history, much like the changes brought by perspective in the Renaissance.
Through their work, Crawford and Joler invite us to reflect on the impacts of technology, power, and our society’s future.
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