Event 3: LASER: De-colonizing AI

On June 1st, 10a.m., I had the opportunity to attend the LASER: De-colonizing AI conference, a thought-provoking event led by distinguished experts including Professor Vensa, Karamjit Gill, Satinder Gill, Amir Baradaran, and Mashinka Hakopian. The event aimed to shed light on the relationship between AI and art, emphasizing the significance of decolonizing AI and its impact on humanity. 

During the event, one presentation that particularly fascinated me was the introduction by Mashinka Hakopian, where she showcased an AI called Aican. Developed at the renowned Rutgers AI lab, Aican possesses the remarkable ability to replicate and produce art. However, it became apparent that Aican's understanding of art is limited due to its training on a dataset predominantly composed of images from the Western canon. Aican's judgment of whether something is art or not is confined within the framework of Western art, hindering its comprehension of art forms beyond this scope. Consequently, it struggles to properly imitate non-Western features that may be present in art. For what Aican can do, visit https://www.interaliamag.org/articles/ahmed-elgammal/

This limitation not only highlights the boundaries of AI but also raises concerns about its utilization in the art world. Nonetheless, we must acknowledge that the evolution of mechanization has historically brought about significant transformations. The invention of the printing press revolutionized the dissemination of information, allowing for mass production (Vesna). Similarly, the advent of movies introduced a new art form that reshaped our perception of artistic expression, as discussed by Benjamin Walter. Therefore, it is plausible that AI, as it continues to advance, may usher in yet another novel medium for artistic creation. 

I highly recommend attending future panels featuring the insightful speakers from this event. It prompted me to reflect on the creation of AI and contemplate the potential implications for the inclusivity of AI technology. By engaging in such discussions, we can better shape the future of AI, ensuring it serves as a powerful tool for artistic expression while respecting the values of diversity and ethical principles.

Sources:

Elgammal, Ahmed. “Meet AICAN, a Machine That Operates as an Autonomous Artist.” Interalia Magazine, 19 Sept. 2019, www.interaliamag.org/articles/ahmed-elgammal/.

Vesna, Victoria. “Robotics pt1.” Bruin Media Reserve, uploaded by UC Online, 15 Apr. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRw9_v6w0ew&ab_channel=UCOnline.

Twitter, twitter.com/aican_art?lang=en. Accessed 8 June 2023.