UWAS-C0025 - Art and Artificial Intelligence, Lecture, 2.11.2021-25.11.2021

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Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The students get acquainted with posthuman thought and transdisciplinary approach to artistic, societal and philosophical questions concerning artificial intelligence. The topics include current AI technologies, post- and transhumanism and sensing machines in artistic practice. During the course, the discussion is raised from the students' disciplines in dialogue with the readings. The students get an overarching experience of transdisciplinary practice towards complex phenomena. The course includes an exhibition.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 02.11.2021 - 25.11.2021

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Tim Smith, Verna Kuusniemi, Jaana Okulov

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Art and AI is a course for anyone interested in the artistic possibilities of AI-systems. Art made with AI has a distinct aesthetic quality that divides opinions. What role does the artist have in computer-generated artwork? How the co-evolution of human and machine affect art? Course discusses the ethical, aesthetic and social dimensions of artificial intelligence and machine learning in relation to arts. Through shared discussion, reading, technological practices and artistic work we propose possible futures for AI. Material and sensory nature of the machine is discussed as a starting point for understanding it in a new light.

    Course includes lectures, group presentations and artistic work. During the course students will create artistic proposals of possible futures of AI. The course ends with an exhibition put together from these proposals.

Assessment Methods and Criteria

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Attendance 20% of the grade
    Participation in class 20% of the grade
    Final work 60% of the grade.

Workload

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Contact teaching 36h
    Group work 42h
    Independent work 57h

    80% attendance required

DETAILS

Study Material

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Art and AI literature. Open AI tools. Online AI platforms.

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    17 Partnerships for the Goals

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    UWAS course selection criteria: Registration order is not the primary selection criteria for this course. In order to ensure that students from different programs and schools of Aalto University may take UWAS courses, the selection is also based on the variety of students' disciplines. Master's students are also welcome.

    Minimum amount of students: 7

    Responsible teacher changed by decision of Academic Committee for Arts, Design and Architecture on 25 August, 2020.

    Teaching Period:

    2020-2021 Autumn II

    2021-2022 Autumn II

    Course Homepage: https://mycourses.aalto.fi/course/search.php?search=UWAS-C0025

    Registration for Courses: Sisu replaces Oodi on 9 August, 2021. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture: https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-in-aalto-arts

    WebOodi

Details on the schedule

  • applies in this implementation

    Tue 2.11
    Art & Artificial Intelligence
    Yu Tian: introduction to Runway ML

    Thu 4.11
    Currents in AI Art
    Yu Tian: Implementing AI models from Github

    Tue 9.11
    Riina Lundman guest lecture: Co-creativity in the age of AI: artists' views

    Thu 11.11
    Ethical AI

    Tue 16.11
    Merging with a machine

    Thu 18.11
    Towards the exhibition

    Tue 23.11
    Independent work

    Wed 24.11
    Independent work

    Thu 25.11
    Online exhibition opening


Rules of Conduct - Students´ Rights and Responsibilities (in force from 1 August 2020)

Aalto University Code of Academic Integrity and Handling Violations Thereof