Reflections on using AI tools
The images in these three collections are my first, early explorations, using only one tool, and took only a total of a couple of days to make. But many of the ideas behind the images have been with me for years, evolving and reflecting my experiences. There will always be a blithering of ideas, but here, I'll focus first on the ones that persist, and then I can move forward with refinements and shaping new ideas.
Sometimes, I found myself fighting the prompts and searching for tactical solutions; other times, I ran into policy restrictions. Knowing this was my first foray into exploring the tools, with the understanding that the capabilities are rapidly changing, my attitude is to be unattached, and dress for the occasion. My ideas and intentions are what matter most.
I enjoy having a way to quickly establish the ideas visually, to flow through and advance the ideas rather than bogging down in the depiction. Not that I'm throwing out drawing or other creative tools and processes, but as creators, we rely on feedback to probe and develop our ideas.
Each of the three collections gathered so far represents different intentions and varied approaches to the tools.
Representing the concept visualizations leaves much room for interpretation in some cases, and less in others. For example, the Cirque du Soleil performance capture image is specific to my artistic inspirations and vision - you can see some of the original imagery on other parts of this site. The real-time AR runway performance capture and VR therapy imagery are relatively generic in their representation here, but that's good enough to establish the concept. The more sophisticated ideas around brain interfaces, real-time visualization, and new language forms are more nebulous. The more abstract, the more room to let the AI take license in representation and explore.
The fantasy images are perfect for AI exploration, though, in some instances, I have very specific ideas; there's a lot of room to feel those out - this is where I'd like to engage and negotiate the design process with some drawing input. The fractal character images, for example, give me room to steer and mold within my own sensibility but to use AI to reach possibilities beyond, though drawing input could be very helpful.
The humor ideas are often pretty specific, so sometimes it's frustrating to get the prompts to comply, and other times it is liberating. Again, multimodal input to the rescue, whenever that comes to fruition, and I'm sure it won't be long.
Concept visualizations
The ideas in this particular collection have been brewing for many years, going back thirty years to my early interest in motion capture, VR and AR, AI, and brain-computer interfaces.
Though ideas like AR rollercoasters and theme parks may seem like obvious, generic applications of emerging tech, many of them go back to times when AR and VR were distant possibilities, with limitations in hardware, processing power, and other resources making them unlikely. Most of these ideas are still out of reach, but getting closer.
Having a conversation along the way with Chat GPT to explore speculative advances in technology and society was interesting and sometimes even disturbing. Chat was eager to jump in and help, as though it wanted to collaborate.
Rather than simply representing ideas we already have, AI tools can be used for thinking, exploring, and reaching new ideas faster. Growing up, I drew to discover and uncover as a form of notation. It's the same reason I put down ideas in writing - feedback enables us to jump ahead to the next direction.
With motion, we have more visualization. And with Q*, we can ground these speculations in logic and reality, like a digital twin sandbox. We can dynamically simulate our ideas as we explore them, whether alone or with others.
Augmented think tanks and new forms of communication
Depictions of virtual think tanks and communication technologies that enable new forms of expression and language.
Click on the images for more details.
Sensors such as MRIs and BCIs may detect and display otherwise hidden neurological responses during targeted communication sessions. Non-verbal communication and mental imagery may take on a more prominent role that gives rise to new, more efficient forms of language.
Medical researchers may project mental imagery as they visualize abstract ideas, and use predictive analytics to anticipate each other's unconscious thoughts and reactions as they form.
Virtual reality therapy
Depictions of virtual environments in which users are surrounded by abstract, ambient imagery and sound patterns that target various brainwaves and induce specific states of concentration, mood, or energy.
Click on the images for more details.
Alpha-Theta waves: Calm and creative
Gamma waves: Energetic, focused
Live exhibitions featuring augmented reality and real-time performance capture
Depictions of traditional live performances augmented with virtual attributes that may react dynamically to the performers and may be viewed by spectators in real-time.
The costumes didn't turn out as wild as I might have hoped, but that would be up to me to dig in with the prompting. I also wouldn't have the models wearing AR headsets, but again, these were early experiments in representing many ideas quickly.
Update: I tried a second round of images, pushing the idea of CG artists working with fashion designers to see if I could generate better examples than those of the first round.
Runway show: Augmented reality fashion pushes the boundaries of imagination, featuring designs that are only possible in a virtual environment and react dynamically to the models in real time.
Make a statement: Perhaps one day, consumers will express themselves through virtual clothing or avatars that may only be observed and appreciated in augmented reality. Various statements may be directed at those who share their social network.
Cirque du Soleil with augmented reality and real-time performance capture.
Augmented reality arena set
Fairly obvious: A prehistoric-themed augmented reality theme park.
When I thought about this long ago, the idea was that the experience could change the participant's point of view, switching from the front of the train to the middle or back.