The Microsoft Garage Beijing has recently unveiled a new eco-art installation at the Microsoft Beijing campus: AI Wings showcases the fusion of technology and environmental conservation. The installation, co-created by the Microsoft Garage, is made from waste materials such as plastic bags, fabric, and wastepaper, which are cut and assembled into a pair of colorful wings. The wings are then equipped with artificial intelligence technology to identify objects and display the corresponding colors with light strips, dynamically illuminating in four different Microsoft colors and effects, symbolizing the harmony between nature and technology.
The AI Wings project aims to propagate environmental conservation principles, advocating respect toward nature and the reuse of waste materials.
The AI Wings project is part of the Microsoft Global Hackathon 2023 in the Greater China Region, an event which encourages Microsoft employees to turn their unique inspiration and ideas into reality. Meng Shi and Xiang Yu, AI Wings project owners and also Garage interns expressed that “It is exciting to see that thirty other passionate colleagues came to join us to spend a month to take action for sustainability and AI. We hope that the installation will inspire more people to embrace environmental conservation and appreciate both the fun and value of AI technology.”
AI Wings demonstrates the power of teamwork and technology to make a positive impact on the world. It is one of the many entries in the Microsoft Global Hackathon 2023, which challenges Microsoft employees to work on various topics such as diversity and inclusion, AI, sustainability, imaginative applications, and the Microsoft brand. The Hackathon is a platform for Microsoft employees to unleash their creativity and innovation, and to collaborate with others who share their passion and vision.
Microsoft Garage Lead, Yi Qiu, who is championing the project, says “AI Wings is the first hand-made crafting art installation project for the Microsoft Garage GCR. It is not perfect, because everyone has their own interpretation of AI and Wings. These differences are the beauty of Hackathon, and of diversity and inclusion.” The project team believes that imperfection is part of creativity and that everyone can contribute their own perspective and style to the art installation. The project team also welcomes feedback and suggestions from visitors to improve the installation and make it more appealing and interactive.
Two more AI Wings installations were created at Microsoft campuses in Suzhou and Shanghai, with a total of 172 employees participating, using recycled materials to create the art. Together, with technology and creativity, AI Wings hopes to realize a greener, more sustainable future.
Special thanks to: Aiden Liu; Aurora Song; Cristina Zhang (HR); Chunbao Shi (JCI Teleworkers’ Network); Guang Yang; Huan Chen; Huijie Xu; Kaijun Chen; Linda Thackeray; Shizhen Li; Jinglei Li; Jim Zhou; Jingya Meng (JLL); Meng Shi, Man Yang; Mingshan Zheng; Mol Sun; Pamela Li; Ruolan Zeng; Siye Liu; Julia Wang; Weihan Tang; Xue Wei; Xiang Yu, Xiang Li, Yi Qiu; Yantong Xie; Yinian Liu; Yongbo Li; Eva Zhao; Zhijie Sang
