AN AI COLLABORATION

AI And human learning

In 2021 I enrolled in a virtual Deep Learning Workshop to better understand AI learning and computer-generated artwork at the Basel School of Design in Switzerland. As an assignment for the workshop, we were asked to choose a random data set (grouping of images) and go through the process of teaching the computer to recognize the images. It wouldn’t have been a design mind if I didn’t bring concept with me. For this project, I wanted to illustrate the current troubled relationship of humans with nature. There is a lack of empathy in the world because most humans perceive themselves separate from nature due to the fast development of technology. The project explores the concept that if computers can recognize common visual cues between nature and humans maybe we ourselves can begin to deepen our connection.

It began by carefully choosing my datasets to overlap visual and conceptual identifiers so the machine mind could see the similarities between subjects/datasets. I captured footage of a winter tree, a human hand and close ups of the vascular system (blood vessels). I myself have seen the visual overlap in veins and tree branches/root systems. With these datasets I ended up with a very interesting and ghostly set of computer/AI generated images. I thread together these images and captured a video featured below.

I learned how to operate and use tools of deep learning (Big GAN databases/AI learning) and chose specific imagery/themes to illustrate the message that we as humans are apart of nature. I conceptually developed, shot film, collected data, selected imagery and created videos for each dataset/step in the process of teaching a computer to recognize that humans are apart of nature. My goal was to show that the way in which a computer learns (pattern recognition) is similar to the way that humans learn. I wanted to leave the viewer in awe of their personal connection to the whole as they now recognize that they are part of nature. Proof that we are nature and nature is us.

The development of this app is ongoing at the moment. Mapping of the user experience coming soon.