This talk describes a number of artistic approaches to research in the context of new media. It includes commentary on case studies where artists explore the limits of large language model artificial intelligence, the science of digital simulations, climate change and terraforming, and the changing status of the library in the context of immersive and networked technologies. Taken together, these case studies demonstrate how artistic methods using new media provide insight and critical frames which will help shape the next industrial phase: a revolution towards more sustainable human- and environmental-centric technologies.