Most people are aware that plastic is littering our oceans – but have they grasped the full extent of the problem? To sound the alarm, the Sendai Umino-Mori Aquarium in Japan staged an exhibition called “The Ocean: Future Masterpieces”. It featured famous paintings of the ocean by the likes of Gauguin and Hokusai with an extra detail: plastic garbage. This was done, subtly and effectively, by using AI to study and replicate each artist’s style (recalling JWT’s “The Next Rembrandt” campaign for ING bank). It meant that the final paintings looked exactly like the originals, but with previously clean seas ruined by plastic waste. The exhibition attracted 30,000 people in just ten days and scooped awards at shows such as the Spikes and Cresta, as well as press coverage. More proof that AI does not necessarily undermine creativity, but can enhance a great – and very human – idea.