Extended Intelligences 02
Last updated
Last updated
During the course we explored several different AI tools that serve a specific purpose. We often think about AI as just Chat-GPT or DALL-E, however it is so much more. In reallity it's just a new technology framework that can be adapted or applied to several different contexts, and even have some fun with the way it works. This is what this course was about, seeing the capabilities of this emerging technology and envision opportunities for it's application.
We explored Dottod as our first tool, whose objective is to manipulate a real world image with whatever prompt we wanted to obtain a modified result. However the "FUN" lies in the fact that the mechanics of the tool is:
This resulted in several different results. We got a glimpse into what the AI prioritizes as relevant descriptions from the original image, as well as it's biases to certain extent. Here are some examples.
The image depicts a playground slide set in a park-like area. It features a metal slide that curves gently downward. A person is lying belly-first on a red and orange buoy-like mat, facing downward, ready to slide down. The surrounding environment includes several trees with bare branches, indicating it may be late in the year or early spring. The ground is covered with a mix of dirt and scattered leaves, suggesting the presence of the trees nearby. In the background, there are some partially visible modern buildings, hinting at an urban setting. The slide itself is positioned at a moderate incline, and its surface shows some scattered leaves, suggesting it hasn’t been cleaned recently. Overall, the scene captures a moment of playful fun in a tranquil outdoor space.
Something interesting that happened in this example is that in the background you can see some dead people, or really sad. We believe it did that in order to better exemplify the fact that the boy is happy, thus making the rest miserable.
We explored ModMatrix as a second tool. Which is similar to the functioning of DOTTOD, but with even more modes to choose from (voice, 3D model, or description). Here you can see some of my personal explorations with the tool.
Generate a cultural heritage story or a legend on the image provided. Include where this tale would take place and what effects on society if would have.
Legend of the Mossweaver: Guardian of the Verdant Isles
In the heart of the Misty Archipelago, known for its thick emerald forests and ancient secrets, a legend endures that captivates the imagination of its inhabitants. The tale is of the Mossweaver, a mystical guardian believed to have been chosen by the earth itself. This legend comes from the Verdant Isles, a mythical place reminiscent of a utopian realm where nature and humanity have coexisted in harmony for millennia.
The Origin:
According to folklore, centuries ago, the islands were plagued by a mysterious blight that withered the land and threatened the balance of life. Desperate, the islanders pleaded to the spirits of the earth for salvation. In response, the earth brought forth the Mossweaver, a person destined to restore harmony between nature and man.
The Mossweaver, a humble guardian, dons a coat woven from the threads of ancient olive trees, symbolizing strength and resilience. Their headpiece, intricately adorned with lichens, moss, and dried flowers, is said to carry the whispers of the forest, allowing them to communicate with the spirit of nature. It is believed that through this connection, they can mend what has been broken and nurture what has been lost.
The Tale:
Each generation venerates an individual chosen by the earth to assume the mantle of the Mossweaver. This person is found during an auspicious event known as the "Blooming Eclipse," when the moon and sun align in the sky as flowers simultaneously bloom across the islands, covering them in a vibrant tapestry. During this celestial event, a child born is marked by nature with a unique birthmark resembling moss, signifying their destiny.
Trained from a young age in the ancient arts of healing and communion with nature, the Mossweaver serves as a bridge between the human world and the natural realm. They embark on annual pilgrimages across the isles, performing rituals to ensure the continued fertility of the land and the health of its people.
Impact on Society:
The cultural significance of the Mossweaver is profound. This legend fosters a deep appreciation and respect for nature among the islanders, who view themselves as stewards of their environment. The belief in the Mossweaver's power and presence promotes ecological preservation, sustainable living, and a strong community ethos centered around cooperation and respect for all living things.
Regional festivities, like the "Festival of the Veil," celebrate nature’s bounty and the Mossweaver’s role in maintaining the island's vitality. Crafts, music, and dances inspired by the legend become powerful mediums for cultural expression, uniting people through a shared narrative that respects the past and inspires a sustainable future.
Legacy:
The Mossweaver is not merely a myth but a cornerstone of the Verdant Isles' identity. As other cultures encounter and embrace the legend, it serves as a timeless reminder of nature's interconnectedness with humanity. As global challenges mount, the story of the Mossweaver inspires countless others beyond the isles to seek balance and rejuvenation, echoing the simple truth that we are all guardians of our planet.
After having explores all these different tools, we launched ourselves into trying to develop a proposal that uses AI as it's main "processing power", and interacts with the real world to some extent (using sensors, motors, etc.). For this I worked alongside Javi and Belén to develop something together.
The concept: bring us closer to nature.
The execution: A wearable device consisting of a camera mounted on the chest for environment visualization with the objective of identifying natural elements in one's surroundings and providing haptic feedback to the user.
Throughout the project development we encountered many challenges, such as some code malfunctions and some circuit limitations. However I believe the outocome to be adequate for the time we had. To be honest, it was a quite fun synergy with my teammates; each of us had a task to accomplish and tried to explain to the others what we were doing in order for all of us to get the necessary knowledge. I'd say the most challenging part of the project was the code, due to the fact that it was spread out throughout multiple different self-referencing files and it was quite challenging keeping track of all of the changes. But other than that it was pretty straightforward: modify the prompt for what the AI should do/look out for and select the corresponding action.
Personally, I focused on the connections and circuitry. Which ended up to be quite simple, mainly due to the fact that only one pin of the ESP32 worked, so that was all the output we could achieve. I'd say upon inspecting the code a little further I see the logic behind it, and I'd say it's a quite "universal" piece of code that could be applied in many different places as well.
Overall I would say this course left me with some hope for the future. I used to think AI to be something very broad and not really "applicable", like it would just be something similar to Google or the dictionary. However, now I see that we can actually apply this technology in several different contexts and with different purposes. I hadn't really considered implementing this technology to any of my projects but now, I feel less intimitated by it and thus have more motivation to apply it wherever I see fit.
