AI KeV: a brief illustrated guide to humanity’s latest terrible idea

Watch it unravel!

Part illustrated book, part philosophical argument, part satire and part accident. At face value, AI KeV is about AI: but we suspect it’s actually about us and our extraordinary ability to invent something and immediately try to monetise it, militarise it, weaponise it, worship it, fear it, regulate it, ask it for miracles and complain when it doesn’t behave itself.

It’s about intelligence, creativity, authorship, attention, greed, anxiety, faith, ageing, responsibility and the peculiar human conviction that every new thing we invent is simultaneously going to save civilisation and destroy it.

It’s being created through an increasingly suspicious collaboration between Paul Warren’s drawings, Nick Owen’s words, Penny Moon’s thinking and KeV him / her / itself… Which raises another awkward question: who’s actually writing this bloody book? And actually we don’t know. That may be part of the point.

We’re not waiting until AI KeV is finished before showing it to anybody. Over the coming weeks we’ll be publishing Paul’s drawings, fragments from the emerging book, questions, arguments, experiments and occasional outbreaks of artificial adolescence on Instagram. Some of them may end up in the book; some may disappear; some may provoke something completely different. And because this is a book about what happens between people, ideas and machines, your responses may influence what happens next too.

Follow Nick Owen Publishing on Instagram and watch AI KeV: A Brief Illustrated Guide to Humanity’s Latest Terrible Idea unravel in public here:

Illustration of a character named AI Kev, wearing an orange t-shirt that says 'AI KEV in' and a cap, gesturing with one hand. The text reads 'How may I Help You? A Brief Illustrated Guide to Humanity's latest terrible idea.'
An illustration featuring two stylized male figures with exaggerated features. One figure is sitting with a serious expression and large feet, while the other stands confidently with elongated arms. The text 'Who am I' is above them, and 'generated by?' is written below.
An artistic illustration of two stylized figures labeled 'ability' and 'liability', with text below reading 'ask it for miracles...' The figures are designed with exaggerated features and colorful clothing.
An artistic illustration featuring two abstract figures, one with gray hair and the other with light skin, both with exaggerated poses. The words 'ability' and 'liability' are prominently displayed alongside the phrase 'ask it for miracles...' in a stylized font.
A cartoonish character in a green dress with exaggerated features, holding a pointer and asking about the color of their eyes, with handwritten text beside them.
A colorful illustration of a woman walking in a yellow dress, with exaggerated features and pink legs, accompanied by the text 'Not one single grain of truth...'
A stylized illustration of a person with a short haircut, wearing a white t-shirt with the word 'hypnotise' printed on it and red shorts, holding a phone in one hand. The background features the text 'the runaway train' in a casual font.
A cartoon-style illustration of a person with a styled haircut, wearing a t-shirt that says 'hypno' and 'tise,' along with red shorts and blue shoes. The character is holding a smartphone and has a slightly exaggerated posture, standing against a white background. Above them are the words 'the runaway train.'
A sketched illustration of a girl holding a smartphone in one hand and a plate of jam doughnuts in the other, with playful text reading 'the all important ingredients' and listing 'jam doughnuts, mobile devices, apps ad infinitum'.
An illustrated woman wearing a bright yellow top and blue skirt, striking a playful pose while holding her hand up, with purple tights and yellow shoes. The text nearby reads: 'that jingle! Such a catchy refrain.'
A colorful illustration of diverse individuals standing in a line, each one appearing to be engaged in conversation or awaiting a response. The text 'awaiting a response' is prominently displayed above the figures, with 'almost talking to one another' below.
An illustration of a woman in a red dress and a man in casual clothing, both smiling and posing confidently. The background features abstract text elements like 'a woman of the world' and 'a man of the world,' along with other phrases emphasizing positivity and entertainment.
An abstract illustration of a figure with a serious expression, dressed in a reddish outfit, with outstretched arms. The words 'Monetise' and 'transparent disguises' are artistically integrated around the figure.
A humorous illustration featuring a man in a suit looking bewildered while a woman in a blue top gestures with her hands, holding a drink and a phone. The text above them reads, 'who paid attention to whom or what'.
An illustration of a relaxed man sitting on a couch, laughing while holding a remote, with artistic text stating 'and today we have the washing of brains...' in a stylized font.
Illustration of a woman in a blue dress with green gloves and pink slippers, standing with colorful striped tights, accompanied by handwritten text expressing concern about a potential scam.
A whimsical illustration of a nude man sitting on a toilet, thinking thoughtfully. The text 'today we have the draining of brains...' is artistically integrated into the image.
An illustration of a man using a chainsaw, with a humorous text above that reads, 'Who put the ai in chainsaw?'
An exaggerated cartoon character holding a smartphone, striking a pose with one hand raised. The character has a distinctively thin body, large head, and prominent facial features. The words 'click' and 'bait' are artistically rendered next to the figure.
A stylized caricature of a man with exaggerated features, holding a phone and displaying a facial expression of discontent, with the text 'letters of complaint templates enabled' in a playful font.
A cartoonish character with short blonde hair wearing a yellow dress and oversized brown shoes, standing with a peculiar posture. Text beside the character reads, 'I have a mind of my own, thank you very much.'
A whimsical illustration of a tall, quirky character with an exaggerated facial expression, dressed in a blue shirt and light blue jeans. The character holds a black object and stands in a casual pose, while text beside him reads, 'there's something here that's missing what can it be?'
Illustration of two stylized figures, one with blonde hair and the other with short dark hair, standing close together. The text 'Menage à trois, there's a crowd...' is stylized beside them.
An illustration depicting a humorous scene with a well-dressed man gesturing towards a mischievous-looking boy in a green shirt and bow, with the text 'you are a mischievous rogue in waiting!' written beside them.
Three abstract figures standing together; two men and a woman, with one man holding a drink. The woman is wearing a red dress and also holding a glass. The background text reads 'Uncertainty in certain circumstances.'
A whimsical illustration of a woman with exaggerated features, wearing a purple dress, holding a phone, and surrounded by text related to 'eternal youth' and discounts for a fictional vaccine.
A whimsical illustration of a bald man with exaggerated features, wearing a white shirt and purple tie, holding a pen and gesturing with one hand. The background includes abstract text phrases about passwords and madness.
An illustrated figure with exaggerated features holding a pen, accompanied by abstract text that includes phrases about a forgotten password and madness.
An illustrated figure of a woman with exaggerated features, wearing a white dress, standing in a doorway. The artwork includes text that says 'this door is not an exit.'
An illustration featuring three stylized characters: a woman with glasses and yellow leggings, a man in a suit with an open hand gesture, and an older man in a sweater and trousers. The text 'a limit should be set' is handwritten above the characters.
Stylized illustration of a man with arms outstretched, featuring the words 'Monetise' and 'transparent disguises' in a playful font.

Because humanity has invented something extraordinarily powerful that it doesn’t entirely understand and is developing it as rapidly as possible because everybody else is doing it.

What could possibly go wrong?

Like to see a copy of Paul Warren’s next publication, Ai KeV? Just drop us a line here!

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You can see Paul’s last publication here!

Thinking Aloud Allowed

Thinking Aloud Allowed

Thinking Aloud Allowed is a striking collection of illustrated “mind’s-eye moments” by Paul Warren where expressive digital portraits meet brief, reflective verse.

£30.00
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