Exploring Propaganda in the Artificial Intelligence Era at Museum of the Moving Image

Museum of the Moving Image to Host Special Event Exploring AI as a Tool for Modern Propaganda

The Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) will host a special evening event exploring the evolving relationship between propaganda and technology, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence. The event, scheduled for 5:30-8:30 p.m., will feature discussions, demonstrations, and a reception as part of the museum’s efforts to examine how modern technologies are reshaping political messaging and cultural narratives.

This gathering marks the first in a series leading to the launch of MoMI LAB, the museum’s forthcoming space dedicated to emerging moving image technologies, set to open in Spring 2026.

The centerpiece of the evening will be a conversation featuring Ari Kuschnir, a viral AI storyteller and founder of the production company m ss ng p eces, with additional guests to be announced. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with generative AI tools and create their own works during the event.

“Propaganda has always advanced with the dominant technologies of its time,” notes the museum in its event description. The program draws parallels between mid-20th century cinematic propaganda—such as Leni Riefenstahl’s infamous Nazi film “Triumph of the Will” and Frank Capra’s American wartime series “Why We Fight”—and today’s AI-generated content.

While traditional propaganda films used spectacle and careful editing to convey their messages, AI has dramatically accelerated both the creation and dissemination of persuasive content. Political figures worldwide now employ generative systems to fabricate images and videos with unprecedented speed and sophistication, creating what the museum describes as “a new, unstable reality” that challenges viewers’ ability to distinguish fact from fiction.

Beyond examining the potential dangers of AI-driven propaganda, the event will showcase the work of contemporary artists who are using these same technologies for more constructive purposes—exposing manipulation, preserving cultural memory, and imagining alternative futures.

The MoMI LAB initiative represents a significant development in public access to emerging technologies. When completed in 2026, it will serve as the first free, accessible laboratory dedicated to AI and other cutting-edge tools in the moving image field. The space aims to function as a civic center where artists, educators, and community members can experiment with advanced technologies while critically engaging with their social and cultural impacts.

This event comes at a time when concerns about AI-generated misinformation have reached new heights. Recent political campaigns have seen numerous instances of deepfakes and synthetic media designed to influence public opinion, raising urgent questions about media literacy and the future of democratic discourse in an era of increasingly sophisticated technological manipulation.

While much public discussion has focused on the regulatory challenges posed by AI, cultural institutions like MoMI are pioneering spaces for more nuanced exploration of how these technologies might be used responsibly and creatively.

The event is free to attend, but advance registration is required. By bringing together technologists, artists, and the public, MoMI hopes to foster a more informed conversation about the ethical implications and creative possibilities of AI in visual storytelling.