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Hito Steyerl: What Artificial Intelligence Doesn't Show
#Exhibitions
Hito Steyerl. Mechanical Kurds, 2026 | Foto: © OKNO | Courtesy MACRO, Rome

Behind every image generated by artificial intelligence lies a story we rarely see. This is the starting point of Mechanical Kurds, the powerful installation by Hito Steyerl at MACRO in Rome. Widely regarded as one of the most influential artists working today, Steyerl has spent years exploring the relationship between technology, power and society, revealing how the digital world is deeply connected to everyday reality. Presented in Italy for the first time, the work combines video and immersive installation to uncover what makes artificial intelligence possible: the invisible labour of thousands of people who classify images and train algorithms. Through the stories of Kurdish refugees alongside AI-generated imagery, the exhibition reveals the hidden links between technological innovation, armed conflict and exploitation, reminding us that behind every algorithm are real people, real places and real lives. With a cinematic and engaging visual language, Mechanical Kurds encourages visitors to look beyond the screen and reflect on the hidden costs of the technologies that have become part of our daily lives. It is a thought-provoking experience that shows how contemporary art can help us better understand the present - and imagine the future with greater awareness.
Viola Canova - © 2026 ARTE.it for Bvlgari Hotel Roma