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 57h80% attendance required
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Art and AI literature. Open AI tools. Online AI platforms.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
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