Project lead: Solal Bauer
Project description: The String is a magazine and collective showcasing essays, fiction, and artworks that capture how our lives coexist with AI. Our goal is to foster dialogue about human-AI interaction, and push digital creativity forward. The project is also focused on finding new, uncanny, or beautiful ways to write about technology.
Launched by a team of Oxford Internet Institute (OII) and English Faculty (EF) graduate students, The String has gathered momentum fast. We interviewed writer Roisin Kiberd and cultural theorist Mitch Therieau, who described us as 'a truly exciting mag of tech, culture, and ideas out of Oxford' on Twitter. The String is also collaborating with The Oxonian Review to host a launch event for Joanna Walsh's upcoming collection of digital critical theory, Girl Online.
The project is growing into a vibrant cultural space for thinkers and creatives grappling with modern technology. We have already established an online presence with over 700 followers, and received submissions for the first issue of our magazine. A generous grant from the AI Governance Fund provided £500 to host two public engagement events (including speakers' fees, travel reimbursement, refreshments), cover costs for an initial limited print run and advertise the first issue. Alongside a digital version, our print copies will be distributed around the University and beyond. We are already partnering with the OII, the Oxford Centre for Life-Writing, and the EF for promotion and/or distribution.
Contact: Solal Bauer
solal.bauer@oii.ox.ac.uk
Status: Complete
