Curators of the CFAD Annual Faculty Show 2024-2025, Eman Alhashemi and Tor Seidel (Lecturers in Fine Arts), paused the challenging demand to their colleagues asking them to “Verify You’re Human”. They argued: “We are constantly competing for our time with distractions, notifications, and a compulsion to go online every three minutes. As our smartphones became an extension of ourselves, the distinction between human and machine starts to blur. We automate many tasks that once required human input, which raises the question of what happens to this time we are gaining? It feels as though we have a digital bloodstream—one that’s always online. There’s no going back to a world without smartphones or the internet. But as we let algorithms and machines make decisions for us, are we gaining time or losing it? Is convenience coming at the cost of our autonomy? These technologies have taken over many tasks that once required human thought, and every day, we are left to wonder: as we rely more on technology and automate our lives, are we losing touch with what it means to be human?”

“Verify You’re Human” pauses a critical demand of humans to act. It is a timely reminder to assess one’s reliance on machines and gradual dissolving of self-dependency. The exhibit highlights six faculty’s diverse engagement with technology, showcasing their artistic response to today’s dialogue between humans and machines. Exhibitors included CFAD Faculty Dr. Karima Alshomely, Dr. Mohammed Yousif, Dr. Thomas Stollar, Tor Seidel, Muhammed Asad Iqbal, and Moatasem Alkubaisi. We are grateful to Aisha Alabbar Gallery, Dubai, for hosting the College of Fine Arts and Design’s Annual Faculty Show 2025.