Transcript Generative Computer Art

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
AND CREATIVE THINKING
Michael Paul – CS210 – 4.18.07
Overview
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explanation of generative or algorithmic art
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some examples of such software
 music
 writing
 drawing
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advantages and disadvantages of this type of
software and its ethical implications
A Familiar Example
Nintendo Wii – Mii Creator
A Familiar Example
So what’s the problem?
Imagine the same application with something
more significant
Definition
Generative art
Art that has been generated, composed, or
constructed in an algorithmic manner through the
use of systems defined by computer software
algorithms, or similar mathematical or mechanical
or randomized autonomous processes
- From Wikipedia
Experiments in Musical Intelligence
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algorithmic music composition tool written by David
Cope
analyzes works by a certain composer and creates
new compositions in the style of the sample works
Other Composition Tools
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Metamath Music –generates music from
mathematical proofs
CodeSounding – generates music from java source
code
Randomusic – automatically generates music in a
random fashion while following various rules that
add harmony, structure, etc.
Lexikon-Sonate – another algorithmic music
generator
Cybernetic Poet
The Saxophone Player
The saxophone player
lives alone,
blows
lives alone,
blows
a swinging door
splendid silence
prophetic poses
splendid silence
prophetic poses
of a prayer and the walls.
A poem written by Ray Kurzweil's Cybernetic Poet
after reading poems by Ray Kurzweil and Pat Sherman
Cybernetic Poet
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written by Raymond Kurzweil
reads a selection of poems and creates a
“language model”
uses model to write new poetry in the style of the
originals
uses the following aspects of original poems: words,
word structures, rhythm patterns, and overall poem
structure
AARON
Software written by Harold Cohen to create virtual
paintings
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Can produce nearly
infinitely many images in
its own style, but it cannot
learn new styles
AARON
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written by Harold Cohen
has been in continual development since 1973
initially created abstract drawings in black and
white
more representational imagery was added in the
1980s, including plants, rocks, and people
color was added in the 1990s
available as a screensaver for Windows
AARON
Why This Is Good
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advances the field of A.I.
helps us model the thought processes behind human
creativity
generates artwork that might not otherwise be
created
can be used to enhance human-created art
(i.e. an artist can model a machine to generate
something based on specific needs)
Things To Think About
“If what AARON is making is not art, what is it
exactly, and in what ways, other than its origin,
does it differ from the ‘real thing?’ If it is not
thinking, what exactly is it doing?”
- Harold Cohen
“The music our algorithms compose are just as
much ours as the music created by the greatest of
our personal human inspirations.”
- David Cope
Some Problems
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could diminish the need for human talent
lacks the value of man-made art
 might
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be unfairly used as a crutch
plagiarism
 the
Cybernetic Poet tries to avoid using more than 3
words in a row from a source work, but it can still
happen
 someone could claim a computer-generated work to be
their own
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limitation: cannot modify their own behavior
Ethical Questions
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To what extent is it fair to use another person’s work
as the basis of a new creation?
Who should claim authorship of software-created
art?
 The
user?
 The creator of the software?
 Where do you draw the line?
Sources
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_art
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computergenerated_music
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http://www.kurzweilcyberart.com/poetry/
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http://www.kurzweilcyberart.com/aaron/
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http://arts.ucsc.edu/faculty/cope/experiments.htm