Thesis Defence: Building an Artificial Intelligence Powered Metaphor-Based Visualizer for Human Self-Understanding
March 28 at 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Abhishek Rakshit, supervised by Dr. Liane Gabora, will defend their thesis titled “Building an Artificial Intelligence Powered Metaphor-Based Visualizer for Human Self-Understanding” in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies – Digital Arts & Humanities theme.
An abstract for Abhishek Rakshit’s thesis is included below.
Defences are open to all members of the campus community as well as the general public. Registration is not required for in-person defences.
ABSTRACT
This thesis explores the design and development of Indra’s Net, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered metaphor-based visualizer that aims to enhance human self-understanding through dynamic and interactive visual metaphors. The platform translates abstract psychological states and processes such as withdrawal, arousal, openness etc. into immersive visualizations, using the universal metaphor of light. Built on Unreal Engine 5, Indra’s Net combines visual technologies, such as dynamic lighting, advanced material rendering, and particle systems, with AI-driven interactivity to create a novel tool for introspection and emotional regulation.
The development process involved iterative prototyping to establish a framework where psychological concepts are systematically mapped to optical phenomena. Key technical innovations include the creation of a dual-surface spherical vessel in Blender, capable of depicting both internal and external cognitive interactions, and the integration of Unreal Engine 5’s particle systems and materials assets to enhance performance and realism. The platform’s modular architecture seamlessly connects an integrated Large Language Model (LLM) with the visualizer, enabling the AI assistant to interpret user inputs and dynamically update visualizations in real time. This conversational interaction supports intuitive onboarding and tailored user experiences.
Indra’s Net facilitates exploration of mental states and interpersonal dynamics, promoting self-reflection and creative insight through its metaphor-driven representations. The platform serves as both a standalone tool for personal growth and a potential resource for art therapy and mental health diagnostics. Future enhancements, such as biosensor integration, multi-user capabilities, and sonification, aim to provide a multisensory and collaborative experience.
By emphasizing both the technical implementation and the potential applications, this thesis demonstrates how Indra’s Net bridges abstract psychological concepts with potentially actionable visualizations. The project underscores the value of combining advanced visualization technologies and AI to create tools that inspire self-awareness, emotional regulation, and well-being.
