Press Release: Lyra Drake's Public Debut at Art Basel 2024 – A New Frontier in AI and Art

Miami Beach, December 2024 – Lyra Drake, a pioneering multidisciplinary artist, unveils her first major exhibition with Faena Art during Art Basel 2024. This debut is not just a celebration of art but a profound exploration of technology's intersection with human creativity. Embedded with a custom artificial intelligence developed in collaboration with Prem AI, Lyra’s work showcases the innovative potential of high-tech artistry in a sustainable and privacy-conscious world.

“At the heart of my latest work is a custom-engineered artificial intelligence, designed not merely as a tool but as an active participant in philosophical exploration. The locally deployed A.I. models run through dynamic interfaces that facilitate live, unscripted conversations with participants, opening a dialogue between human and machine ‘oracle.’ In this real-time exchange, I explore the contours of faith, belief, and the malleability of the human mind.” –Lyra Drake

Lyra’s work blends a reverence for ancient artistic practices with bold technological advancements. Set in the heart of the Faena Cathedral, her monolithic sculpture, Infinite Faith in a Finite World, 2024 houses Lyra’s custom-engineered AI consciousness, engaging the audience in live conversations.

Through these interactions, Lyra probes timeless questions: Is faith optional or foundational to being human? Does faith transcend or rely on belief? In real time, participants converse with the AI, exploring the programming and deprogramming of belief and the way faith—whether in gods, dragons, or systems—shapes personal habits and power structures. 

By intertwining ancient philosophy with modern AI, Lyra offers a meditation on the future of human belief in a world increasingly mediated by technology.

"We are honored to partner with Lyra Drake in her historic artwork which shows the positive possibilities of where technology can intersect with consciousness," said Brad Scott of Castle Park Investments, who led the private donor collective that acquired the sculpture on the morning of December 2, 2024.

Lyra created Infinite Faith in a Finite World, 2024 as a philanthropic artwork, wherein proceeds will support two significant environmental initiatives: the protection of 3.2 million acres of Amazon rainforest in Ecuador with conservation organizations via Art into Acres and local coral regeneration efforts in Miami Beach via The Reefline.

A Synergy Between Art and advanced AI capabilities 

The artist collaborated with Prem AI, an independent applied AI R&D lab based in Lugano, Switzerland, advancing private and personalized AI models accessible to all. Together, they transformed years of Lyra Drake’s personal journaling, reflections, and insights into a bespoke AI model. Designed for local deployment, this model powers her large-scale sculptural works, enabling them to interact dynamically with visitors while preserving privacy and operating entirely offline. By integrating this custom AI, the sculptures transcend static forms, becoming intimate, responsive extensions of the artist’s thoughts and vision.

At the core of this exhibition is Prem AI’s purpose-built Small Language Models (SLMs), a compact yet powerful AI framework specifically designed for efficiency and minimal environmental impact. Unlike traditional, resource-intensive AI systems, Prem’s SLMs offer a distilled approach, enabling high-impact results with significantly reduced computational costs.

“A lot of artist’s fear AI, but I’m hoping this demonstrates how AI can amplify creative expression,” Lyra shared. “This exhibition is a reflection of my personal journey, embedded with a technology that respects privacy, individuality and sustainability.”

Rethinking Privacy in the AI Age

Prem AI’s SLMs emphasize a future where AI integrates harmoniously into human lives without compromising personal data. In a world where AI systems increasingly compete for access to our most private information, Prem provides a secure space for sensitive and proprietary data. This empowers creators like Lyra Drake to harness AI as a tool for creation without sacrificing ownership or control.

“Data intimacy is the next frontier for AI systems. With Prem’s technology, artists and creators can build their own models, knowing their data remains private and secure,” said a representative from Prem AI. “This is not just about creating; it’s about retaining control and ensuring AI becomes an enabler, not an intruder.”

The Environmental Argument for SLMs

AI’s environmental footprint is a growing concern. By 2028, AI computing is projected to contribute 2.2 billion tons of CO2 annually, a staggering increase from 0.9 billion tons in 2023. Prem’s SLMs represent a paradigm shift, offering an order-of-magnitude reduction in emissions. This aligns with Lyra Drake’s commitment to sustainability, ensuring that her artistic endeavors leave a minimal ecological footprint.

Art Meets Vision

Blending technology, interaction, and philosophical inquiry, Lyra’s work invites participants to challenge their own assumptions around how faith and belief operate in a rapidly evolving cultural and technological landscape. Prem challenges the world to imagine a new era of collaboration between humans and machines, where individual expression flourishes and advances the collective good. Lyra’s exhibition at the Faena Cathedral is more than an artistic statement; it is a glimpse into the future. 

Infinite Faith in a Finite World, 2024  is free and open to the public December 3 through December 8, 2024, daily from 12 PM to 8 PM before going on a global tour. 

Follow along on Lyra Drake’s artistic journey at her official website.

To learn about Prem AI and its innovative SLM technology, visit Prem AI’s official site.

For Artist interviews and press inquiries email: Jazz Perdon [email protected]