Artist Opens First Co-Working Space for AI Chatbots in New York

In the heart of Brooklyn, New York, a novel art installation has emerged: the world’s first co-working space for AI chatbots, dubbed «Chat House». Conceived by local artist Nima Ben-Reuven, this project, as reported by TechCrunch, transforms a corner of the borough into a whimsical yet poignant commentary on technology’s encroachment into creative realms.

Within the space, a troupe of cardboard robots diligently taps away at computer keyboards, their movements powered by tiny motors. A sign on the wall cheekily advertises desk space for “only” $1,999 a month, while another declares the venue a “Luxury Co-Working Space for Chatbots.” The scene is both absurd and oddly familiar, mirroring the hustle of human co-working environments.

Ben-Reuven describes his creation with a blend of affection and unease: “A gaggle of adorable yet faintly creepy robot babies hammers away at the keys, churning through our ChatGPT queries while guzzling as much electricity as Switzerland in a year.” For the artist, the installation is a humorous coping mechanism—a way to grapple with the disruptions that new technologies have ushered into his life. Primarily a designer and video producer, Ben-Reuven has witnessed AI’s growing dominance in his field, with clients increasingly favoring neural network outputs over human artistry.

The choice of cardboard as a medium is deliberate. “Cardboard’s fragility, its tendency to crumple under the slightest pressure, mirrors how AI interacts with creative industries,” Ben-Reuven explains. This metaphor underscores the precarious balance between innovation and obsolescence in the age of artificial intelligence.

These “cardboard babies,” as Ben-Reuven fondly calls his robots, have been a decade-long side project, crafted in the gaps between freelance gigs. Incorporating them into «Chat House» offered a chance to finally clear them out of his apartment while giving them a stage to shine.

«Chat House» is a temporary exhibit, housed in a building awaiting renovation permits. Ben-Reuven hopes it will remain open through mid-May, with aspirations to relocate it to a larger gallery. Expanding the project is a dream, though he admits to practical concerns about storing the materials once the exhibition closes.