Mechanical Learning and the Book of Nature

„Mechanical Learning and the Book of Nature“ by Nathan Cornish critiques modern perceptions of AI as unprecedented technology by comparing machine learning to Renaissance herbal literature, notably John Gerard’s ‚Great Herbal‘ (1597). Through AI-generated reinterpretations of Gerard’s plagiarized botanical imagery and texts, the project reveals parallels between past and present systems of knowledge reproduction, challenging contemporary assumptions about technological innovation. This exploration underscores how technologies historically encode nature, suggesting that AI, like past knowledge systems, is deeply embedded within cultural practices of replication and information control.

Impact / Outreach

The project engages audiences through art installations and publications, highlighting overlooked historical parallels in AI discourse. By critiquing notions of technological novelty, it invites critical reflection on human-nature relations within modern and historical data systems.

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