TL;DR:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the art world, raising questions about the creative process and ethical values.
- UCF Celebrates the Arts showcased the intersection of arts and technology, highlighting the creative possibilities offered by AI.
- Attendees experienced AI tools firsthand, generating their own art and exploring the potential of AI-generated music.
- Experts discussed the role of AI in reshaping art, music, and writing, with AI being referred to as “the new paintbrush.”
- UCF aims to educate and raise awareness about AI’s implications, emphasizing the importance of implementing it ethically.
- The integration of technology in art opens up new avenues for artistic expression and enhances accessibility.
- The use of AI-generative platforms has sparked concerns among human artists, but it also fosters new forms of art and deepens appreciation for traditional methods.
- UCF explores other frontiers, such as the merging of hologram technology with spoken word art, pushing boundaries and envisioning the future.
Main AI News:
The advent of photography in 1822 was met with skepticism by some painters who feared it would spell the demise of traditional art. However, photography emerged as a distinct medium and went on to catalyze the modern art movement. Fast forward to today, and we find that artificial intelligence (AI), which simulates human intelligence using computer systems, is revolutionizing the art world, among other industries.
The influence of this cutting-edge technology on the arts has become a compelling topic, as a new wave of “generative” AI applications can generate artwork within seconds by simply inputting a few words into a text box. This phenomenon raises profound questions about the creative process, ethical considerations, and more. In the midst of the global quest to navigate the intricate intersection of AI and human creativity, the University of Central Florida (UCF) stands at the forefront, boldly exploring the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
An exemplary testament to UCF’s commitment to this exploration was witnessed during this year’s UCF Celebrates the Arts, a groundbreaking event that placed the spotlight on the convergence of arts and technology for the very first time. Through dance performances, concerts, thought-provoking films, stimulating discussions, and more, the university’s most brilliant artists merged visual arts with AI and other revolutionary technologies, unveiling the endless creative potential at this intersection.
Both the Knights and the Central Florida community at large witnessed AI in action at the festival’s highly anticipated REALity of ARTificial Intelligence event, hosted by the UCF Center for Ethics in collaboration with the Center for Computer Vision and the School of Visual Arts and Design. Attendees were granted hands-on experience with AI tools at computer stations, where they input keywords and statements to generate their own art, ranging from scriptwriting to photographs. AI even contributed to the event’s ambiance, as the air reverberated with the mesmerizing sounds of AI-generated techno music. Guiding the attendees through this captivating journey were distinguished experts in ethics, visual art, and computer science, including Google Brain Research Scientist Ruben Villegas. Villegas delved into the notion of AI as “the new paintbrush” during a panel discussion, exploring the technology’s multifaceted functions and its profound impact on the creation of art, music, writing, and beyond. Whenever the world seeks solutions to its most pressing challenges, UCF is often regarded as a leader in innovation. This reputation served as the inspiration for Professor Stephen Kuebler, co-organizer of REALity of ARTificial Intelligence and founding associate director of UCF’s Center for Ethics, to design an immersive experience that would inform the community about crucial AI innovations and techniques.
“Communities at all levels must stay ahead of the curve and comprehend the implications of AI so that we can implement it ethically and sensibly, genuinely enhancing the quality of life for all,” asserts Kuebler. “[UCF] is ideally positioned to achieve this objective because we are a dynamic community defined by growth and transformation. However, education and awareness are the initial steps we must take.”
The intersection of art and technology represents a pivotal shift and milestone in the evolution of art itself. The 1990s marked the beginning of a technological revolution that equipped artists with an array of tools, from digital colors to 3D printing, enabling them to manifest their creative visions while enhancing the accessibility of their art. More recently, we have witnessed unforgettable installations like Eric Standley’s stained glass windows, crafted from meticulously stacked laser-cut paper, and Jason Allen’s “Théâtre D’opéra Spatial,” one of the first AI-generated pieces to secure victory in the Colorado State Fair’s annual art competition. These remarkable examples illustrate how advanced technology empowers artists to transform and manipulate their artwork in unprecedented ways.
According to Kuebler, as human beings, we tend to associate the act of creation solely with intelligent beings. He argues that AI challenges our conventional views on art, creativity, and the valuation of artistic works. While very few claim that AI tools possess self-awareness or genuine intelligence, they undeniably produce fresh images, stories, and other creations that possess remarkable appeal.
Understandably, AI tools have provoked concerns and backlash among many human artists, who fear for their professional futures. Their primary apprehension revolves around the question of why anyone would pay for art when they could generate it themselves using AI.
Kuebler suggests that a lack of familiarity with the AI-assisted art-making process may contribute to the skepticism and distrust among human artists. He highlights that AI-generated works are inherently derivative, as they draw from an algorithm that samples an existing database of art. Yet, in many ways, human artists exhibit similar characteristics, as their work is influenced and inspired by the artistic legacy that precedes them.
Kuebler elucidates that our perception of artwork undergoes a transformation once we understand the process behind its creation. Some individuals assign less value to a piece when they learn that it was crafted by a computer. However, despite the current wave of criticism and vigorous debates, the integration of AI-generative platforms undoubtedly has the potential to give rise to new types of artists and art genres. Furthermore, it might deepen our appreciation for artists who employ traditional, hands-on methods, as they infuse their work with an additional layer of authenticity.
Nevertheless, the fusion of visual arts and AI is only one of the myriad avenues being explored by UCF. When Shawn Welcome ’17, a professional speaker and Orlando Poet Laureate, received an invitation to perform spoken word poetry for a hologram installation at UCF Celebrates the Arts 2023, his curiosity about the technology propelled him to accept the opportunity.
The convergence of hologram technology with the art of spoken word, Welcome affirms, represents uncharted territory for both disciplines. As an English alumnus and current applied sociology graduate student, he was captivated by the possibilities. The hologram device was acquired by UCF’s College of Health Professions and Sciences, thanks to a generous contribution from Brooks Rehabilitation. This groundbreaking technology facilitates the creation of lifelike holographic representations of individuals, which will be utilized to train UCF’s future healthcare professionals in the skills required to assess and treat patients effectively.
The wonders of this simulation tool were on full display during UCF Celebrates the Arts, where a collaboration between researchers, arts, and humanities resulted in a series of holograms showcased in the lobbies and public spaces of the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, the prestigious venue for the annual art showcase. Welcome’s poetry performance was among the awe-inspiring holographic displays, leaving him grappling with the significance of this breakthrough.
“When you creatively communicate through spoken word, you rely not only on the actual words but also on body language and tone. The hologram captures elements that are impossible to convey in two dimensions,” Welcome shares. “The fact that people from around the world can engage with this form of art is genuinely fascinating.”
As technology continues to evolve, it comes as no surprise that UCF, like many visionary artists, embraces its integration into the human experience, pushing boundaries and adapting to the evolving aesthetic preferences and needs of society.
“[UCF] has provided me with a platform to critically explore the intersection of art and technology,” Welcome reflects. “[The university] dares to envision a future where accessibility to technology of this caliber shapes our lives. Regardless of the outcome, this endeavor can only yield positive results.”
Conclusion:
The exploration of the intersection between art and artificial intelligence by UCF signifies a significant shift in the art market. AI’s ability to generate art in novel ways challenges traditional notions of creativity and valuation. While concerns persist among human artists, the integration of AI offers new possibilities and forms of artistic expression. UCF’s leadership in this domain positions it as a pioneer in innovation, fostering education, awareness, and ethical implementation of AI in the art world. This evolving landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for artists, audiences, and the market as a whole, pushing boundaries and shaping the future of artistic endeavors.
