Can AI discover new data visualizations?

[Anand S]

Here's my talk proposal for VizChitra 2026:

Description

There's stuff I know AI can do.

1. Create data visualizations. I just tell it to convert a dataset into a treemap, and it does.
2. Hallucinate. That's a fancy word for "make stuff up". I prefer calling it "creativity".
3. Run forever. As long as I have token budget and can summarize the context, it can go on.

What if we combine these? What if we asked it to do research? If infinite monkeys will almost surely produce Shakespeare, how long will it take for the greatest AI to discover a truly novel data visualization that is useful?

This isn't a talk. It's an exhibition.

I'm not presenting. My AI monkeys are. They'll show off what new data visualizations they've discovered, given the following constraints:

1. It's novel. Check and make sure it's stuff we haven't seen before.
2. It's useful. It has to reveal insights from data (even a niche kind).
3. It's beautiful. Visually striking and engaging.

My role will just be a narrator of their work - since they can't speak (or... um... )

Actually, my role is an admirer and critic - since they can't critique themselves (but... actually... )

Well, I'm the person who paid for their tokens and will therefore take credit on stage. So there.

Video

Links:

• Can LLMs suggest visualization ideas?
• LLM Art Style

About the speaker

Anand's an LLM psychologist @ Straive. He prods AI to understand how it thinks. It prods back, teaching him how HE thinks. He's ex-IITM, IIMB, INFY, LBS, IBM, BCG & other TLAs. He transcribed every Calvin & Hobbes strip over 7 years. AI does that now in 7 min.