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Human × AI

Speaker · Human × AI 2026

Mate Steinforth

Artist, Creative Director & Independent Researcher

Mate Steinforth spoke at Human × AI 2026 on 19 May 2026 in Vienna. Speakers for Human × AI 2027 have not been announced yet.

I'm increasingly drawn to understanding how the tools we create shape cognition, behavior, and perception — often invisibly.

About

Mate Steinforth is a Berlin-based artist, creative director, and independent researcher with over three decades of experience at the intersection of visual culture and digital technology. His career spans leading the Berlin studio of award-winning animation house Sehsucht, directing global campaigns for Nike and MTV, and pioneering expressive AR experiences through BetaBeta — his creative lab for spatially-aware fashion installations and viral Instagram filters.

Experience

Mate established and led the Berlin studio of Sehsucht, an award-winning animation house recognised for pushing the boundaries of motion design and visual storytelling. He served as Creative Director at PSYOP in New York, directing international campaigns in advanced visual media. His work for Nike earned an ADC Bronze and a Webby Award honoree, while his MTV interstitials aired globally.

Today, Mate is working on future-facing interface systems — integrating low-level hardware programming, graphics engineering, and real-time interaction design for the world's first true AR glasses Orion with neural input technologies. He has delivered over 70 talks and lectures globally, spoken at conferences including FITC, TINCON, and Pictoplasma, and serves as a frequent juror for design awards including ADC and Animago.

Education

Mate holds a Diploma in Graphic Design from HAWK Hildesheim in Germany, with additional studies in Philosophy and English at the University of Hannover and Fine Arts at Universidad Complutense in Madrid.

Areas of Expertise

  • Creative Direction & Visual Storytelling
  • Motion Design & Animation
  • AR/XR Interface Design
  • Real-time Interaction Design
  • Hardware Programming & Graphics Engineering

Session at Human × AI 2026 · Interview

Where Does AI End and the Artist Begin

Date
Time
16:00 – 16:20
Place
Main Stage, Vienna

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