Basics of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing field of technology that has the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with the world. AI can be used to automate mundane tasks, uncover hidden patterns in data, and even create new forms of art.
The Eiffel Moment of AI
For thousands of years, humans never built anything higher than 600 feet due to various limitations and constraints. Whether it was the materials available, the techniques employed, or the lack of visionary concepts, architectural structures were limited in their vertical reach. However, all of this changed with the advent of the Eiffel Tower, a monumental landmark that revolutionized the world of construction.
Why did this happen? The answer lies in the remarkable advancements in technology that emerged during the late 19th century. The introduction of steel, electricity, and concrete completely redefined the very notion of what was possible in terms of architectural achievements. Each of these technological breakthroughs played a significant role in the construction of the Eiffel Tower and subsequently influenced the trajectory of human innovation.
In a similar vein, we find ourselves in an era where the same transformative process is unfolding with AI. Just as technology propelled the evolution of architecture, it is now propelling the evolution of artificial intelligence. The continuous advancements in computing power, algorithms, and data collection have redefined the very notion of what AI is capable of achieving.
Why did this happen? The answer lies in the remarkable advancements in technology that emerged during the late 19th century. The introduction of steel, electricity, and concrete completely redefined the very notion of what was possible in terms of architectural achievements. Each of these technological breakthroughs played a significant role in the construction of the Eiffel Tower and subsequently influenced the trajectory of human innovation.
In a similar vein, we find ourselves in an era where the same transformative process is unfolding with AI. Just as technology propelled the evolution of architecture, it is now propelling the evolution of artificial intelligence. The continuous advancements in computing power, algorithms, and data collection have redefined the very notion of what AI is capable of achieving.
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What is Artificial Intelligence?
AI is a historically loosely-defined term that encompasses a wide range of systems and technologies designed to mimic or simulate human intelligence. Throughout the years, the term "AI" has been applied to various examples, demonstrating the diverse capabilities and applications of this field.
One of the earliest instances of AI was seen in computers playing games like tic-tac-toe. Although simple by today's standards, these early game-playing systems demonstrated the ability of machines to make decisions and strategize based on predefined rules and algorithms. This marked an initial foray into the realm of AI and showcased the potential of computers to perform tasks traditionally associated with human intellect.
Other examples of what is named as AI:
We subscribe to the following definition:
One of the earliest instances of AI was seen in computers playing games like tic-tac-toe. Although simple by today's standards, these early game-playing systems demonstrated the ability of machines to make decisions and strategize based on predefined rules and algorithms. This marked an initial foray into the realm of AI and showcased the potential of computers to perform tasks traditionally associated with human intellect.
Other examples of what is named as AI:
- Space Shuttle Mission Control systems
- An expert chess-playing system such as Deep Blue (beat Kasparov in 1997)
- Conversational chatbots such as ChatGPT or Bing Chat
We subscribe to the following definition:
"An AI is any artificial agent that receives percepts from the environment, maps percepts sequences to actions, and performs them accordingly."
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Why current moment is so special?
Because of evolution in the field of Machine Learning.
Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on the development of computer programs that can access data and use it to learn for themselves. Machine learning algorithms are used to identify patterns in data and make predictions about future events.
ML algorithms have made significant advancements in handling complex and unstructured data, enabling AI systems to understand and extract valuable insights from vast amounts of information. The availability of large-scale datasets and improvements in computing power have further fueled the progress of ML, allowing for the development of more sophisticated models with enhanced accuracy and performance. These advancements in ML have unlocked new possibilities in areas such as natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive analytics, propelling AI to the forefront of technological innovation and creating unprecedented opportunities for solving complex problems.
Machine learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on the development of computer programs that can access data and use it to learn for themselves. Machine learning algorithms are used to identify patterns in data and make predictions about future events.
ML algorithms have made significant advancements in handling complex and unstructured data, enabling AI systems to understand and extract valuable insights from vast amounts of information. The availability of large-scale datasets and improvements in computing power have further fueled the progress of ML, allowing for the development of more sophisticated models with enhanced accuracy and performance. These advancements in ML have unlocked new possibilities in areas such as natural language processing, computer vision, and predictive analytics, propelling AI to the forefront of technological innovation and creating unprecedented opportunities for solving complex problems.
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What can AI do?
The possibilities of AI are indeed limitless, as it has already demonstrated its ability to seamlessly blend reality and imagination in mere seconds.
See yourself:
See yourself:
A Revolution in the Arts is coming.
AI will empower artists
in the same way as
computers empowered engineers in the last decades.
And we're only in the beginning.
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Visual AI contenders
The launch of Stable Diffusion is a Watershed Moment in AI
- Fully open source, including its training datasetAnyone can download and use it, including for commercial purposes.
- Very compact; doesn't need to run in the cloudThe underlying tech compresses its data so much, it runs on regular PCs.
- Huge community of developersIts open source nature led to the fast creation of tools to enhance its use.
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Case use: AI Changing the Past
Storytelling will change forever, and Cultural Heritage
will be in the forefront of it.
Imagine a thousand artists, working with a thousand styles, reimagining the past. Generative art AIs can help us explore the past in unprecedented ways, recreating archeological sites and artifacts and imagining multiple possibilities of how the past were experienced.
will be in the forefront of it.
Imagine a thousand artists, working with a thousand styles, reimagining the past. Generative art AIs can help us explore the past in unprecedented ways, recreating archeological sites and artifacts and imagining multiple possibilities of how the past were experienced.
Case study#1: Bringing a Necropolis to Life
30 miles NW of Rome lies the Necropoli della Banditaccia, one the most important archeological sites of the Etruscan civilization. It is a UNESCO's World Heritage site with over 1,000 tumuli spanning six centuries, and is a key source of knowledge about the Etruscan society.
Using Deforum and a fine-tuned Stable Diffusion model, FollowFox and Prof. Maurizio Forte created a dream-like representation of what the tombs could look like.
Using Deforum and a fine-tuned Stable Diffusion model, FollowFox and Prof. Maurizio Forte created a dream-like representation of what the tombs could look like.
Case study#2: Pyrgi's Athena
The temple of Pyrgi's "A" Pediment, dating to the 6th century BC, showcases the Etruscans' exceptional terracotta artistry and spiritual beliefs. The pediment illustrates the mythological scene of the Seven against Thebes.
A violent scene, it nevertheless emphasizes the goddess Athena, reflecting the Etruscans' veneration for the goddess and their deep-rooted connection to Greek mythology.
Using ControlNet and several other AI techniques, FollowFox and Prof. Maurizio Forte created reimaginings of the Goddess Athena in her role as protector of the Etruscans.
A violent scene, it nevertheless emphasizes the goddess Athena, reflecting the Etruscans' veneration for the goddess and their deep-rooted connection to Greek mythology.
Using ControlNet and several other AI techniques, FollowFox and Prof. Maurizio Forte created reimaginings of the Goddess Athena in her role as protector of the Etruscans.
