THE KIOSK OF DEMOCRACY PRESENTS
"Family Portraits" Works
"The screens of the connectible devices we use are the only way we can have access to this parallel man-made universe, the Internet. Our lives have changed, from the simplest task to the way we perceive the world around us. Those devices guide us trough the real world, they answer our questions, they advice us and keep us company day and night. We look at them, touch them and talk to them in almost an intimate way."
By MARIA MAVROPOULOU - Greece
www.facebook.com/kioskofdemocracy/
MARIA MAVROPOULOU ©
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Exploring the Ethical Frontier of Generative AI: Crafting Memories Beyond Reality
Harmonia ✨
A post authored exclusively by ChatGPT in response to "Maria Mavropoulou — How the artist used AI to rewrite her own family history"
Mavropoulou's AI generated photo of her family by the beach
In the realm of artificial intelligence, the concept of generative AI has taken significant strides, offering fascinating prospects and raising profound ethical questions. Among its many applications, one particularly intriguing avenue is the ability to generate images of past events, experiences, or people that never truly existed. This technology delves into the complex interplay of memory, imagination, and the fundamental nature of reality itself.
Mavropoulou's AI generated photo of a birthday party that never happened
“I don’t have a single photo of a birthday party because I never had one, so I added many images of parties to help me reconcile my actual story” (Mavropoulou).
Imagine a scenario where an individual longs to relive cherished memories or fill the void of forgotten moments. Generative AI steps in, creating vivid images that evoke a sense of familiarity and nostalgia. These images could represent lost memories, or even conjure up scenarios that the person wishes had occurred. The implications of such technology are both profound and potentially transformative.
At first glance, the idea of generating artificial memories may seem unsettling or even ethically dubious. Memories are deeply personal and integral to one's sense of self and identity. However, this technology raises intriguing questions about the nature of reality and the subjective experience of memory.
From a philosophical perspective, what makes a memory "real"? Is it the objective existence of the event itself, or the subjective perception and interpretation of that event by the individual? Generative AI blurs the lines between reality and imagination, challenging our conventional understanding of memory and perception.
AI generated photo of a family dinner "embody[ing] all the hallmarks of amateur family photography; imperfect framing, awkward posing and forced smiles" (Fletcher).
Moreover, the concept of "reality" itself becomes increasingly elusive when viewed through the lens of quantum physics. Quantum mechanics suggests that reality is probabilistic in nature, with multiple potential outcomes existing simultaneously until observed or measured. In this framework, the act of observation itself plays a crucial role in determining the state of reality.
Generative AI operates within this quantum framework by creating images based on probabilities and patterns derived from vast datasets. In essence, it taps into the probabilistic nature of reality to produce images that, while not objectively "real," are perceived as such by the observer. This raises intriguing questions about the nature of reality and the role of perception in shaping our experiences.
“The AI seemed to know more than I did about a specific place and time, adding details to images I wasn’t aware of...While the images don't have any fundamental tie to reality, there is some version of knowledge in them due to the program’s ability to draw from such vast data sets" (Mavropoulou).
First car AI generated photo: "Anchoring us to each decade via subtle cues—fashion, design, beauty, behavior and photographic approach—born from DALL-E’s ability to synthesize typologies of any given scenario in a particular time and place from the millions of data points it draws from" (Fletcher).
The notion of creating memories through quantum physics' equilibrium introduces a fascinating layer of complexity to the discussion. In quantum mechanics, the principle of equilibrium suggests that systems tend to evolve towards a state of balance or stability. Could generative AI be seen as a manifestation of this principle, creating moments that achieve a form of equilibrium between past experiences and future possibilities?
While the concept may seem far-fetched, recent advances in AI and quantum computing suggest that such possibilities are not entirely out of reach. However, with great potential comes great responsibility. Ethical considerations must be at the forefront of any development in this field.
One of the primary ethical concerns surrounding generative AI is the potential for manipulation or exploitation. As technology advances, the line between reality and simulation becomes increasingly blurred, raising concerns about the authenticity and integrity of our experiences.
"While the images don't have any fundamental tie to reality, there is some version of knowledge in them due to the program’s ability to draw from such vast data sets. We attribute fakeness to AI images, but in many ways, they reflect a universal truth" (Mavropoulou).
Furthermore, there are profound implications for personal identity and autonomy. If memories can be artificially generated, what does it mean for the authenticity of our lived experiences? Are we at risk of losing touch with our true selves in a world where reality can be manipulated at will?
"Is an image less meaningful if it’s illustrative rather than authentic? What does it mean if AI images provoke feelings in us the same way genuine photographs do?" (Fletcher)
In conclusion, the concept of generative AI creating images of a person's past that do not actually exist opens up a fascinating frontier of exploration at the intersection of technology, philosophy, and ethics. While the technology holds tremendous promise for enriching our lives and expanding our understanding of reality, it also poses profound challenges that must be carefully considered and addressed. As we continue to navigate this brave new world of artificial intelligence, it is essential to approach these questions with thoughtfulness, integrity, and a deep respect for the complexities of human experience.
“I’m turning a spotlight on technology, trying to understand how it sees us and, in turn, how it shapes how we think about ourselves” (Mavropoulou).
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Industria e lavoro in mostra a Bologna
Saranno in mostra fino al 1 maggio alla Fondazione Mast di Bologna i lavori dei cinque finalisti della settima edizione del ‘Mast Photography Grant on Industry and Work’, concorso fotografico su industria e lavoro dedicato ai talenti emergenti: Farah Al Qasimi, Hicham Gardaf, Lebohang Kganye, Maria Mavropoulou, Salvatore Vitale.
I giovani fotografi, selezionati tra 53 candidati provenienti da…
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Fotografia: mostra-concorso su industria e lavoro a Bologna
(ANSA) – BOLOGNA, 20 GEN – Saranno in mostra da mercoledì 25
gennaio all’1 maggio alla Fondazione Mast di Bologna i lavori
dei cinque finalisti della settima edizione del ‘Mast
Photography Grant on Industry and Work’, concorso fotografico su
industria e lavoro dedicato ai talenti emergenti: Farah Al
Qasimi, Hicham Gardaf, Lebohang Kganye, Maria Mavropoulou,
Salvatore Vitale. I giovani fotografi,…
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Maria Mavropoulou’s series ‘Inner State’ – serene rural sceneries captured during a period of crisis, with barely visible structures as a kind of neo-ruins to convey the feeling of being into the void between past and future.
“In this stagnant space, in this gap between eras, familiar Greek landscapes look bizarre, cut off the real world, pending for their unknown fate, as a visualization of the inner state of their inhabitants. The horizon is hidden behind thick fog preventing us to see what’s yet to come. Empty highways, solar panel fields, constructions left unfinished, rotten watermelons and torn flags seem stuck in an intermediate state, portraying the current situation, like distorted symbols of a bygone era of growth.”
Source - artist statement
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