In my doctoral thesis, I focused on the workings of the artificial intelligence technology Deepfake and its future use intentions in the fields of art, design, and media, evaluating it from an objective and critical perspective.
During my doctoral coursework, my research and studies addressed how the dynamics of art and design are changing with contemporary technologies. I examined how exhibition practices in contemporary art museums have evolved, how technology has transformed art and design works, and how this transformation affects the perception and experience of these works.
My research led me to fundamental questions: How are changing technologies and artificial intelligence reshaping the definition and boundaries of art and design? How do artists and designers approach new creation tools and forms of expression in this dynamic environment? What will be its usage and function in the future? How does the role and function of art and design in society change under the influence of technology?
Since my field is animation, my discussions with my thesis advisor led me to work on animation-based deepfake. The fact that deepfake is a current technology, offering new possibilities and creating ethical debates, formed the basis of this study.
Deepfake, which emerges from the combination of advanced technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, creates a hyper-real environment that manipulates reality. Therefore, the concept of simulation is fundamental to my thesis. In this context, the works of Jean Baudrillard and the interpretations of his works by Oğuz Adanır have greatly influenced me. Especially Baudrillard's theories on simulacra and simulation align with the virtual reality perception created by deepfake.
Additionally, Theodor W. Adorno's understanding of art and aesthetics has been a source of inspiration while developing my thesis. Adorno's critiques of how mass culture and popular media corrupt reality helped me understand the potential dangers of deepfake.
The theoretical framework of the thesis is based on the development of digital photography and animation. Since deepfake is a relatively new field, finding Turkish sources was quite challenging at the time I started writing the thesis. Therefore, I had to rely heavily on foreign sources.
The advancements in artificial intelligence excite me. There are constantly evolving and changing dynamics in design as well. I will continue my research and application work in this field.
First and foremost, I want all my students to be curious. I encourage them not to hesitate to ask questions and explore different perspectives. Curiosity is the foundation of learning and creative thinking. Our field requires us to follow and keep up with the latest developments. While the positive and negative aspects of this can be debated, we must be aware and not avoid it. I encourage them to acquire knowledge from different disciplines and perspectives. This way, they can gain a broader perspective and produce more creative solutions.
At this point, I will try to be an inspiration as much as I can, both through my work and my knowledge.
