Memo Akten's Ants simulation shows collective intelligence inspired by a PNAS study
memoakten · x · 2026-11-03
Media artist Memo Akten, collaborating with Katie Hofstadter, presents Ants (2026), an interactive simulation where virtual ants coordinate to move objects through obstacles using only local cues and programmed rules — no individual holds the full solution.
The work draws on a December 2024 PNAS study comparing ants and humans maneuvering a T-shaped object through narrow gaps: larger ant groups performed more efficiently, while human groups showed no such improvement, especially with restricted communication. In the piece, pheromones provide directional signals, and ants attached to objects respond to transmitted mechanical forces.
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