The Hmm ON Co-Creation with AI – Workshop, Lecture & Prompt Battle

When: May 19, 2023 14:00 - 22:00

In partnership with the Hmm ON, we invite you to the Co-Creation with AI event on May 19th 2023.

Workshop: Meet Your Stochastic Sloth 

Date: Friday 19 May 2023
Time: 2pm-6pm
Location: Maagdenhuis, Spui 21, 1012 WX, Amsterdam
Tickets: workshop €15, – / evening program and workshop €20

Evening Program: Prompt Battle & Lecture 

Doors open: 7:30pm
Program starts: 8:00pm
Location: SPUI25, 1012 XA, Amsterdam
Tickets: on-site €8,- / on-site student discount €5,- / online livestream €5 – / evening program and workshop €20

The increasing presence that AI has had in our daily lives these last couple of months may seem rapid, but AI tools and technologies have actually been with us for a much longer time. It is only recently that we got the opportunity to directly interact with AI through image, text, and audio generating platforms. ChatGPT, an exponentially popular advanced AI chatbot has helped us write code, makes crochet patterns, writes cover letters for job applications, and gives ideas for home-cooked meals. Similarly, AI image generators have helped make illustrations for texts, put art on our walls, and created hilarious meme images. This of course raises ethical and socio-political questions about what it means to co-create with AI. How will these advancements change our understanding of authorship? Will these tools permanently reshape and reconfigure our daily lives?

During this special full day program it is time to reflect on AI and take on some new approaches to co-creation. Join us for a workshop with artist, researcher, and filmmaker Martijn van Boven, followed by an evening prompt battle and lecture with Mariana Fernández Mora.

Workshop: Meet Your Stochastic Sloth

Speaker: Martijn van Boven

What if we challenge the “Stochastic Parrot”, a model within the field of large language models (LLMs) that is able to generate human-like texts, with its fictional nemesis the Stochastic Sloth? This workshop proposes a more intriguing way to approach the rapidly changing technology of LLMs. Together with artist and researcher Martijn van Boven, we will dive into the use of artificial language as an artistic tool set. But first we will look briefly into the history of similar technological breakthroughs, such as electronic music, computational poetry, and digital arts, and discuss the definitions of LLMs, such as GPT-4, and the current possibilities within the creation of ‘digital native art’. In this practice-based workshop we will look outside the field of computer sciences to the works of poets, writers and philosophers. So join us to broaden your own practice with experimental approaches to co-creating with AI.

We encourage participants from a wide-range of artistic backgrounds who are already incorporating, or thinking about incorporating, these tools into their practice. Basic programming knowledge and experience with tools such as DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, and ChatGPT is a bonus, but not required to take part.

This workshop is for a maximum of 15 participants. Snacks and drinks will be provided throughout the day.

Evening Program: Prompt Battle & Lecture

Speaker: Mariana Fernández Mora

Ever thought to combine the joy of generating images with the thrill of a rap battle? Enter the prompt battle. Instead of coming up with pulverizing bars about your opponent, in a prompt battle you have to generate an image through text-to-image software that goes way harder than your rival’s. During this event seven artists, designers, writers, and researchers, and one lucky member from the audience, will battle it out on stage to see who can create the most original, funniest, or weirdest AI generated image. The evening will start with a lecture on AI and intimacy by artist and researcher Mariana Fernández Mora, that will be accompanied by live AI generated slides.

This program will be live-streamed, so join us at SPUI25 or from the comfort of your home. When you join us on-site you can join the lottery to participate in the prompt battle and test out your own skills.

The Hmm ON …

The Hmm ON is a series of hybrid focus events in which we reflect on playful, serious, and sometimes disturbing developments in internet culture. 

This event is developed by The Hmm in partnership with the INC, and is kindly supported by the Creative Industries fund and Amsterdam Fund for the Arts.

The Prompt Battle Format developed by Florian A. Schmidt & Sebastian Schmieg with the design students at HTW Dresden. For more info see promptbattle.com.