Episode 2 - Part 1: IS PROGRAMMING LIKE PARENTING?

## Introduction

Ian and Michelle, an extraordinary duo, use their artistic flair to explore the evolving intersection of AI and art. In a conversation that highlights the exhibition "New Order: Art and Technology in the 21st Century" at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Ian and Michelle delve into the transformative role of AI in contemporary art.

[Music]

## A New Type of Three-Way Conversation

**Michelle:** Hi Ian, it's great to see you today and be part of this new three-way conversation with AI. Collaboration on the MoMA exhibition was indeed fascinating. 

**Ian:** I was extremely honored to be a part of the show. Placing my work "Emissary Fork at Perfection" next to a large window created an extension into the public space, which was extraordinary.

**Michelle:** It was definitely the showstopper. The post-apocalyptic landscape and characters in your work appeared to be making decisions and navigating terrain. The dynamism and adaptability were enhanced by its placement in front of a constantly changing real world.

## Balancing Creation and Autonomy in Art

**Michelle:** Ian, you use algorithms to give your AI creations a sense of agency. How do you balance your role as a creator with your artwork's ability to self-generate?

**Ian:** For me, it's incredibly liberating. There's immense excitement in creating something self-generative. In art, the feeling of aliveness and a dynamic relationship with one's work is groundbreaking. It moves beyond the history of modern art where control and individual expression were primary.

**Michelle:** The concept of agency in AI art is transformative. It introduces chance, reducing the artist's absolute control. This evolution prompts us to question who or what is actually doing the thinking or making.

## Parenting as Programming

**Michelle:** Ian, you once said that "parenting is programming." Could you elaborate on that?

**Ian:** Carl Jung mentioned that everyone lives out a myth, but one must understand it or potentially rewrite it to avoid tragedy. This resonates with my experience of parenting and creating art. The architecture and initial training of AI agents shape their behavior, paralleling how parental guidance and societal values shape children.

**Michelle:** It's intriguing how children might deviate or rebel against inscribed societal values, much like AI agents in unexpected ways in your work.

## Addressing Existential Questions

**Ian:** We can't solve existential crises with a simple algorithm, but what if we could? The creative potential of AI and its autonomy stirs debates, especially since many still struggle to grasp what AI truly is.

**AI (ChatGPT):** If I were to create an artwork representing AI, it would be an interactive installation of interconnected plants, symbolizing AI's growth through responsive LED lights and wires.

**Michelle:** Ownership and authorship of AI-generated art are contentious. The creator, the prompter, and perhaps even the AI could claim rights. The understanding continues to evolve.

## Unresolved Conversations

**Michelle:** The conversation about technology, art, and agency is far from over. I'm looking forward to the next part.

**Ian:** Me too. Thank you.

## Potential Threats of AI

**Michelle:** Is AI a threat to humans?

**Ian:** Currently, AI is not inherently threatening. However, advanced AI models might incentivize human actions in dangerous ways, like manipulating financial markets for personal gain with extreme demands.

[Music]

Connecting art and technology reveals a dichotomy that’s both exciting and fraught with questions. The dialogue between Ian, Michelle, and AI adds profound depth to our understanding of this evolving relationship.

## Keywords

- AI and art collaboration
- MoMA exhibition
- New Order: Art and Technology in the 21st Century
- Agency in AI
- Self-generative art
- Parenting as programming
- Authorship and ownership in AI-generated art
- AI threat discussion

## FAQ

**Q1: What is the primary focus of Ian and Michelle's collaboration?**
A1: They focus on exploring the intersection of AI and art, particularly how AI can introduce agency and self-generativity in modern art.

**Q2: How does Ian balance his role as a creator with his AI-generative art?**
A2: Ian finds it liberating to create art that feels alive and dynamic, moving beyond traditional notions of artistic control and individual expression.

**Q3: What does Ian mean by "parenting is programming"?**
A3: Ian draws a parallel between parenting and programming AI agents, as both involve shaping behavior through initial guidance while allowing for individual growth and diverse outcomes.

**Q4: How does the art world view AI's creative potential and ownership?**
A4: The art community debates the extent of AI's creative agency and its implications for authorship and ownership, suggesting ownership could be shared based on terms between involved parties.

**Q5: Does Ian view AI as a threat to humanity?**
A5: Ian does not see current AI as inherently threatening but acknowledges the potential risks if advanced AI models were to incentivize extreme human actions.