DirkSorge.de

Maybe an Image of AI

Digital photo series, 2022-ongoing

Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of art. (ALT)

When users on Instagram upload images, they can type in an alternative text that describes the image. Most humans don’t do this, so the image recognition algorithm of Instagram is generating ALT-texts automatically. This photo series of handwritings makes visible what the image recognition algorithm of Instagram is “seeing” and telling users of screen reader software. Most alternative texts are not very informative. Some of them are poetic, some are unintentionally humorous, some are even melancholic.
The ALT-texts reveal how images are categorized – and through that they give insight about the nature of the content on social media.

Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of flower. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of text. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of 1 person, indoors, sports and mirror. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of food. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of nature and outdoors. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of sky. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of brick wall. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of 1 or more people in crowd. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of monument. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe a close-up of 1 person. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of body of water. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an image of 3 people, beard. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe a black and white image. (ALT)


Photo of handwritten text on paper: Maybe an illustration. (ALT)


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