Dates: 5 – 8 May 2026
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Format: on-site
From 5th to the 8th of May 2026, New Bulgarian University will host an intensive on-site ERUA workshop that bridges visual culture, esoteric traditions, and artificial intelligence.
Titled “Archetypes and Algorithms: Exploring Tarot through AI Art,” the course invites Bachelor and Master students to investigate how symbolic knowledge systems – specifically Tarot – interact with contemporary generative AI technologies.
The workshop carries 2 ECTS credits and is open to 10 ERUA students.
The course will be led by Asst. Prof. Ivaylo Saraliyski, PhD. It will be held daily from 10:00 to 16:00 and combines lectures, hands-on AI generation labs, Tarot sessions, and group discussions.
This course explores the intersection of symbolic knowledge systems (specifically Tarot) and contemporary generative AI technologies. Using the Tarot as both a creative and reflective tool, students will analyze archetypes and translate them into AI-generated visual artworks.
Course Structure
- Day 1: Visual and Symbolic Systems – Introduction to Tarot as a visual and symbolic system; collective exploration of archetypes; participants choose a card and write a short intuitive interpretation.
- Day 2: Tarot as Structure & AI Deck Construction (Part I) – Training in generative AI tools (e.g., Midjourney, DALL·E). Students generate visual interpretations of selected Tarot archetypes and compare them to historical and personal associations.
- Day 3: AI Deck Construction (Part II) & Activation – Students refine and complete their decks through curation, editing, and visual coherence. They write a short concept statement for the deck and present selected cards. The course concludes with an “AI Tarot reading” session.
The workshop is hands-on and experimental, combining spiritual-symbolic traditions with digital creativity and AI literacy.
The pedagogical approach is experimental and practice-driven, integrating:
- Symbolic and archetypal analysis
- Creative prompt engineering
- AI-generated image production
- Critical reflection on machine interpretation and meaning-making
Students must have access to at least one generative AI platform e.g., ChatGPT Plus, Midjourney subscription, or Stable Diffusion web tool).
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the workshop, students will:
- Understand the visual and symbolic structure of Tarot as an archetypal system
- Develop practical skills in prompt design and AI image generation
- Translate abstract and intuitive ideas into generative media outputs
- Critically assess the limits of machine understanding and symbolic reasoning
- Reflect on randomness, ritual, and meaning-making in human–AI collaboration
The course fosters AI literacy not only at a technical level, but at a philosophical and cultural one – encouraging students to question authorship, agency, and interpretation in digital environments.
Application
We are looking for 10 Bachelor and Master students from ERUA universities.
If you are interested fill in the online registration form and submit a motivation letter in English and portfolio. The selection will be based on motivation, interest in the topic, and diversity of background.
Application Deadline: April 10, 2026
Funding:
ERUA students can receive travelling and accommodation funding from their home universities! For more information related to traveling and funding opportunities contact your local ERUA coordinator.
