Is artificial intelligence a major step forward in humanity’s evolution, or a technology we should approach with caution? This question lies at the heart of The Human Factor: Artificial Intelligence Between Art and Science, the new multivision installation at the Immaginario Scientifico Science Museum in Trieste.

Created with the support of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia as part of its Creatività funding programme, the installation is a visual journey that takes visitors from the origins of AI to the possibilities and challenges of its future.

A key contribution to the project came from Area Science Park, which collaborated on the selection and scientific validation of the content. The installation was developed with the technical support of IKON Digital Farm and features original artwork by emerging digital illustrator Elena Degrassi.

True to the philosophy that has defined Immaginario Scientifico since its founding, the installation uses images as a powerful medium for conveying both knowledge and emotion. Although presented without narration, the visuals communicate meanings that are intuitive and, in many cases, open to interpretation and verification.

The installation traces the development of artificial intelligence, highlighting the key milestones in its history. These are interwoven with streams of binary code, the fundamental language underlying all digital systems. The narrative then moves to today’s applications of AI, particularly in medicine and biology, before exploring some of the most pressing ethical questions surrounding its evolution: from digital surveillance and the erosion of anonymity to algorithmic bias and the inequalities it can create.

Serena Mizzan, President of Immaginario Scientifico, explains: “We chose to conclude the installation with the first law of technology historian Melvin Kranzberg: ‘Technology is neither good nor bad; nor is it neutral.’ It is an invitation to see technology as a tool whose impact ultimately depends on how it is developed and used.”

Throughout the experience, amid data, images and thought-provoking questions, the central role of human beings remains clear. Even in the age of artificial intelligence, critical thinking is, and will continue to be, a deeply human responsibility. Visitors are encouraged to draw their own conclusions about the opportunities and risks of AI, developing a critical perspective on systems that are increasingly capable of learning from data and replicating certain human abilities and functions.

Professor Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park, adds: “For many years, Area Science Park has been working on artificial intelligence, studying its most promising applications and developing algorithms tailored to the scientific fields in which our institution operates. AI represents a genuine revolution for society. The responsibility of researchers extends beyond its technical development: it also means making AI understandable and accessible to the public by explaining its potential, its limitations and its future prospects. Our collaboration with Immaginario Scientifico, and this project in particular,creates an important opportunity to engage society in an open dialogue on these issues.”

The installation is now part of the museum’s permanent exhibition and can be visited during the regular opening hours of Immaginario Scientifico in Trieste, located in Magazzino 26 in the city’s Old Port.