Inside the Learning Machine – CityMag

As artificial intelligence continues to permeate the art world, an Adelaide artist blurs the line between machine and artificial art.

Dave Court knows new technologies well.

The Adelaide-based artist regularly incorporates technology into his Technicolor work. He has previously dabbled in Web3, Virtual His Reality (VR), and Soundscapes, but in his latest exhibit he dives into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

called learning machinethis work questions the latest-age creative act of an artist who braves the new world of algorithms and machine learning.

Dave conceived this work after being given access to an early build of DALL-E, an algorithm that accesses large amounts of data to mimic and generate images. His Learning Machine, exhibited in Sydney, saw Dave feed his pre-existing work into an algorithm, which spewed out “Dave Court” style images. All somewhat similar, but eerily computer-generated.

Then the act of turning those AI-generated images into paintings, digitally rendering the reflections of those paintings, and using AI tools in the process to create art, and the algorithm being “good”. I questioned whether I could create art.

talk city ​​magazinethe artist says this work is a continuation of his ongoing practice aimed at understanding processes and tools through art.

“Whether it’s AI, VR, or Blender, it’s all about understanding the process,” says Dave.

“I feel more and more drawn to the idea of ​​media as a message. Where does the creation happen here? Is it?” I think. And I find it very boring. If you decide that something is art, it is art. That’s a dead question.

Or ‘Who is the creator?’ If I put my art into an AI and it makes something, yeah I make it Because it will happen. But if someone puts my work into AI and makes another one, is it different? “

Dave’s work centers on the myriad of ethical and philosophical issues raised by the emergence of AI as an artistic tool, born of an ongoing debate about automation in industries beyond art. rice field.

Technicians try to make us believe that machine learning and automation will free workers from labor-intensive and repetitive tasks, but the reality is millions of jobs could be lost. .

A study from the University of Oxford suggests that up to 47% of jobs are “at risk” due to automation. As these AI tools become more commonly used by non-artists, one wonders whether there is an existential threat to those whose profession is “artist”.

According to Dave, there will always be a demand for human-created art.

“Art is very reputation-based. When someone buys a painting, it’s often because they engage with the artist in a certain way, or [the artist’s] reputation,” he says.

“But what happens when you reach the stage of seamless regeneration? Maybe you’re missing something. But is it like having a fake or bootleg print of something?” may be the same, but it’s a pirated version.”

Ultimately, Dave describes programs like DALL-E as “tools” for artists to use. After all, these programs require human input to generate anything.

In this way, they can be thought of like cameras. Lenses, lights, and film do all the work of ‘creating’ a photo, but human input is required to select shots, dial aperture and focus. Even camera selection is a deliberate creative decision.

“Each of these choices and methods of communication results in a unique aesthetic, message, or distortion of meaning,” says Dave.

“[AI] Indeed, it’s another tool and a different process in itself that adds something unique to the piece. You can use it well, you can use it badly, you can use it in creative ways, you can use it in boring ways. “

Beyond the question of whether AI will end human artistry once and for all, Dave says he’s more concerned that these kinds of tools are being used for malicious purposes.

Dave reflects on his participation in the program, led by the creators of DALL-E, and says they were limited. They had to be replaced with something else (prints, paintings, etc.). And to keep it PG – no gore or violence.

“AI cannot tell the difference between a naked adult body and a naked child body,” says Dave.

“The purpose for which people use these tools can be very strange, especially since DALL-E is a big company so there are a lot of restrictions, but already the models have been leaked and the models without filters I think you can get

“If these people develop this technology and it can be used for good or evil, then the fact is digital. Once leaked, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Dave admits that human use of AI is still in its early stages. He likens it to showing an app like TikTok to someone in the ’80s who understands that the internet is all about sending digital letters.

“The first applications of AI are what we are already doing, like people using AI for idea generation, painting mockups, mood boards for photo shoots and music videos, designers using it to churn. Accelerating things through ideas,” says Dave.

“My general thoughts on this, and even NFTs, are sales pitches about making art accessible and democratizing everything, but it feels like a hollow promise.

“It will still be technology owned by big corporations that will benefit from it, and tools will most easily be used, controlled and monopolized by those who already have money and power.”