AI Uncovered at the Cranbrook Institute of Science

“Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine”
Cranbrook Institute of Science
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Through May 9, 2027

The topic of artificial intelligence is arguably just as hot as the data centers that power it. But it’s not going away, so you might as well learn as much as you can about it — and the Cranbrook Institute of Science is happy to help. Its latest exhibit “Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine” explains the basics of how AI works, how its science has evolved over time, and the complexities of its human impact.

The exhibit is not as visually compelling as the museum’s most recent traveling exhibits and is a bit intimidating. Large physical boxes of text fill the center of the room, with the more fun interactive components hidden to the sides. Organizationally, there doesn’t appear to be a clear opening statement or direction to follow, which was a bit challenging, and I found myself wandering throughout somewhat aimlessly.

But the components within the exhibit are engaging — the text is not as dense as it seems — with each box or game focusing on a different aspect of AI. Some of the text boxes are about history; how great scientists and philosophers have understood the mind in the past. Others are about pop culture; how people have imagined and feared what artificial intelligence would be like through science fiction films.

The crux is about how AI actually works, with an emphasis that AI is dependent on information learned through the input of human knowledge — not independent thinking. Many boxes use interactive displays to showcase the pattern-finding fundamentals of AI as well as its limitations. One box has a wall of nearly identical-looking pumpkins — which could easily be dismissed as being all the same to the human eye — and invited viewers to find the odd one out, an example of how AI excels over human brains. Another features a set of charming mixed images — like chihuahuas and blueberry muffins — to show how things that seem visually similar are confusing to AI without the human context to understand the difference, an example of where people excel.

The fun lies mostly on the perimeter of the exhibit with videos, challenges, and games — adding an element of play to an otherwise serious subject. One game matches your face with an animal cartoon, allowing you to watch yourself move and make expressions in cartoon form on screen in real time. My favorite might have been a station that takes an image of you then transforms it into a series of artistic painting styles.

While the tone of the exhibit has a generally positive take on artificial intelligence — and its possibilities for future human advancement — it does highlight its risks and controversies. Some stations showcase a series of videos and images that challenge users to understand what is real and what is an image generated by AI — and how advanced deepfakes have become. Another showcases a demo reel of AI actress “Tilly Norwood,” hinting at a possibility that AI could make screen actors obsolete. Other videos and displays highlight the significant amount of resources that are needed to maintain the data centers needed to support AI. There’s also a digital literacy section with tips on how people can better identify AI-generated photos versus real ones (something I struggle with) and I would welcome an entire exhibit just on that.

I had a fairly decent grasp on AI before entering the exhibit, but it was helpful to have it broken down into simple terms with a comprehensive point of view. With the amount of text, it’s geared toward older students and adults, though the games should keep younger children entertained.

There’s no doubt that AI is remarkable. It offers incredible possibilities for the future — both for good and for bad — and difficult decisions lie ahead. Having a basic grasp of the science is in all our best interests — and “Artificial Intelligence: Your Mind & The Machine” is a good starting point.

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