Press Release:

“Dream Garden” Promotes AI Literacy Through Playful Learning and Creative Exploration

Jan. 23, 2025, San Jose, CA —The Tech Interactive, the world-renowned science, technology, and education center in Downtown San Jose, is thrilled to unveil Dream Garden, a revolutionary AI-powered, human-centered immersive experience, on February 15, 2025. Created by renowned creative studio Design I/O, this exhibit blends cutting-edge technology with artistic expression, setting a new standard for immersive installations.

Dream Garden, a feature exhibit in The Tech Interactive’s new “AI Sandbox” gallery, provides a hands-on approach to demystifying artificial intelligence. Through playful, interactive experiences, visitors gain insight into how AI processes information, learns, and adapts. AI Sandbox reflects the museum’s dedication to advancing AI literacy and empowering communities to explore the potential of this cutting-edge technology. 

“Dream Garden represents a significant milestone in making AI accessible and engaging for everyone,” said Katrina Stevens, President and CEO of The Tech Interactive. “We are proud to share this stunning exhibit, where visitors can explore the intersection of art, play, and innovation, discovering how their creativity interacts with and shapes this transformative technology.”

Visitors enter Dream Garden through an arched gateway into a vibrant, dream-like environment shaped by their movements and interactions. Colorful projections are displayed on all four walls of the 1,285 square-foot room, immersing visitors in a visually-captivating and dynamic space. From playing in luminescent waterfalls to teaching fantastical creatures how to fly, every motion contributes to this ever-evolving world.

The innovative technology behind Dream Garden makes it truly unique, demonstrating how advancements in AI can make dreams a reality. Design I/O leveraged Google’s MediaPipe and Microsoft’s Phi-3.5 Small Language Models (SLMs) in groundbreaking ways to bring the exhibit to life. Operating with four in-wall cameras, ten depth sensors, seven projectors, and five powerful computers, Dream Garden creates a seamless and dynamic experience where AI-driven creature behaviors evolve based on visitor input, and analytical data is transformed into multilingual poetry in real time.

"The integration of AI in Dream Garden redefines what an interactive exhibit can be," said Theo Watson, Co-Founder of Design I/O. "By utilizing Google's MediaPipe for dynamic gesture recognition, we've created an experience unlike any other — more than just an immersive room, it is a seamlessly interactive adventure where visitors can collaborate or explore independently to transform the environment around them."

Highlights of the Exhibit include:

• AI-powered Vision Tools that allow visitors to embody giant trees, teach creatures how to fly, or grab floating elements to transform their appearance.
• Dynamic Landscapes that respond to visitors’ movements, creating a personalized and ever-changing environment.
• Generative Poetry Platform that transforms each visitor’s data into multilingual haikus, visibly demonstrating one of the ways that AI is present and utilized in the exhibit.
• Transparent Interactions: Real-time displays explain how AI systems interpret movements and make decisions, offering visitors an accessible glimpse into complex algorithms.
• Creative AI Applications: By participating in activities like training digital creatures or generating poetry, visitors experience firsthand how AI can enhance creativity and problem-solving.
• AI Literacy: Informational panels and guided activities help visitors understand the potential of AI and its role in shaping everyday life, from art to technology.

Designed for Accessibility

Accessibility was a central focus in the development of Dream Garden. Multi-modal interaction systems enable visitors of varying abilities to fully engage with the experience. Features include:

• Alternative control methods that allow all guests to interact with the exhibit.
• Inclusive AI systems capable of recognizing diverse physical movements and gestures.
• Visual and auditory cues for those relying on sensory feedback.

Plan Your Visit

Located on the Upper Level of The Tech Interactive, AI Sandbox and Dream Garden will officially open to the public on February 15, 2025. Be among the first to experience this groundbreaking exhibit that combines technology, art, and imagination like never before.

Dream Garden is funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Media Contact:
publicrelations@thetech.org