The AI (artificial intelligence) and data revolution is here and many are contributing to its rapid growth and development.

TT-born criminologist and AI ethicist Renee Cummings is one lending her voice to develop that field.

Young Tyler Villaruel, 20, seeing this and admiring her work, took paint to canvas.

His Wo-volution is one of 24 pieces being exhibited at the Rotunda Gallery’s DigitAll Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality exhibition which runs from March 6-31. The exhibition also observed International Women’s Day which was on March 8 and featured the work of 18 artistes.

The Sangre Grande artist’s statement says, “Wo-volution was inspired by psychologist, criminologist and AI ethicist Renee Cummings. My introduction to her work began with an accidental click on an AI site, resulting in an influx of AI-related information on all my socials, with a recommendation that I follow Cummings, which I did.”

It added that as a Trinidadian living in the US and doing “such amazing work as a woman in digital leadership, transforming technology education and mentoring girls and women” in that area fascinated him.

“The busy background is indicative of the pace at which Cummings operates, and her smile represents the passion with which she does it. In my opinion, Wo-volution encapsulates, if only in part, her innovative mind,” it said.

[caption id="attachment_1008000" align="alignnone" width="703"] Tyler Villaruel says, “Wo-volution was inspired by psychologist, criminologist and AI ethicist Renee Cummings." - Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

While Villaruel always had an interest in art, he only began doing it seriously in his later teenage years but recognised he had artistic inclination as a child while playing with his cousins.

He said he and his cousin would draw trucks and cars from as early as eight.

At Sangre Grande Secondary High School he did not study art.

“I did art but I did not take it seriously.”

At that time he was not as focused on it as he is now.

The self-taught artist began looking at YouTube videos for guidance and eventually found his path.

“I basically taught myself how to draw. I would follow a lot of other artists to see how their style was to figure out my own style,” he said.

He uses charcoal, graphite, pencils and enjoys painting and drawing.

Villaruel also has in an interest in Greek mythological figures, designs tattoos and was mentored by artist Fitzroy Hoyte before the pandemic’s start.

Villaruel has an interest in AI because “that is the day and age we are in now.”

He has not spoken to Cummings but she got word of the piece through a former media colleague who is also Villaruel’s aunt.

In a Facebook post on March 15, Cummings said she was overwhelmed and humbled to be recognised like that and young people were “super amazing.”

[caption id="attachment_1008001" align="alignnone" width="762"] Tyler Villaruel hopes to one day have his own gallery where he can show the work of young artists like himself. - Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

He found out about