Don’t Be Evil was Google’s motto from 2004 to 2015, and it is a phrase that is still used in the corporate code of conduct of Google (Alphabet): “Don’t Be Evil. Googlers generally apply those words to how we serve our users. But Don’t Be Evil is much more than that… The Google Code of Conduct is one of the ways we put Don’t Be Evil into practice.” Between 21 April and 4 May 2018, Google removed the motto from the preface of their code of conduct, but they left a mention in the final line: “And remember… Don’t Be Evil, and if you see something that you think isn’t right – speak up!”

Don’t Be Evil, the main exhibition of the IMPAKT Festival 2023, presents works by renowned and emerging international artists. It includes commissions and projects resulting from residencies supported by the European Media Art Platform, a residency programme of which IMPAKT is a member.

The playful, speculative and subversive works in this exhibition address the most important issues affecting our digital rights and agency: surveillance, data extraction, Big Tech strategies, the amplification of human bias, and our future with artificial intelligence. The works stand out because of their inspiring or provocative content and the way they use humour and the element of surprise. They raise awareness and inform us about what is at stake in a world permeated by digital technology.

The exhibition Don't Be Evil runs until 07 January 2024 and is part of the IMPAKT Festival.