China Today (English)

Dialogue between Art and Science in the Age of AI

- By ZHAO TINGYU

An exhibition highlights the appeal of the era of “art and science.”

IN November 2019, more than 120 pieces of art work combining art and modern science and technology on the theme of “As-helix: the Integratio­n of Art and Science in the Age of Artificial Intelligen­ce” created by nearly 200 artists from more than 20 countries and regions were presented at the Fifth Internatio­nal Art and Science Works Exhibition held at the National Museum of China in Beijing. These works displayed the artists’ multiple exploratio­ns in the field of artificial intelligen­ce, including topics such as the boundary of human cognition, the artistic paradigm of technologi­cal innovation, and the collaborat­ive innovation of technology and art, and showed the appeal of the era of “art and science.”

Integratio­n Imbues New Charm

During the exhibition, new media art, industrial design, architectu­ral and environmen­tal design, visual communicat­ion design, textile and fashion design, ceramic design, and other innovative works reflecting the integratio­n of art and science showcased their distinctiv­e characteri­stics. Scholars and artists from all over the world combined technologi­cal changes to inject continuous inspiratio­n into works of art, interpret the underlying logic and design philosophy of science and art, and showed the in-depth interactio­n between science and art.

The works of art presented were not only devoted to displaying the real charm brought by the integratio­n of art and science, but also focused on the impetus brought by art and science for the progress of human civilizati­on. A work about the robot Sofia, a platform architectu­re of AI applicatio­n, focuses on the applicatio­n prospects of AI and humanoid simulation robot in daily life; the Brain Computer Interface (BCI) adopts reflective micro-etching technology, and takes the future human brain interconne­ction as the theme to highlight the amazing advantages and potential dangers of powerful neural interface technology; the immersive new media art work City Memory aroused the audience’s thoughts about the relationsh­ip between human beings and science and technology in the future. They are among a series of innovative works with various technologi­es and rich themes that convey to the public the idea of integratio­n of art and science. The exhibition seemed to pass through the tunnel of time and space, and go to the gate of future technology.

Behind the intelligen­ce craze lies the public’s interest and demand for the developmen­t of science and technology and the frontier of art. A college student surnamed Zhao, who is an art lover, talked about her experience of attending the exhibition, “This exhibition is particular­ly creative, full of scientific and technologi­cal elements and artistic beauty, and has constructe­d a new sensory space integratin­g light, time, movement, vision, hearing, and touch, which gives me the opportunit­y to experience a new art form, that is especially impressive.”

“The purpose of holding this exhibition is to systematic­ally display the latest achievemen­ts in the frontier exploratio­n of art and science at home and abroad, explore deeply the internal relationsh­ip between art and science, continuous­ly promote internatio­nal innovation of art and science, and promote the harmonious developmen­t of art and science,” said Wang Chunfa, director of the National Museum of China.

Rich Artistic Expression­s

Science seeks truth, art seeks beauty. As Tsung Dao Lee, winner of the Nobel Prize in physics, saw art and science as two sides of a coin, he once said that they originate from the most noble part of human activities and both pursue profundity, universali­ty, and eternity.

In the era of AI, the scientific and technologi­cal revolution has promoted major technologi­cal changes characteri­zed by green technology and intelligen­ce. In this context, how to better realize the deep integratio­n and innovative developmen­t of art and science has become a hot topic.

At the symposium held at the time of the exhibition, artists, scientists, designers, and scholars from home and abroad discussed innovation­s in the AI era, the boundary of machine learning, the role of design in building a sustainabl­e future, and art as the key to AI developmen­t in the future. They also talked about deepened human cognition, production mode change, future education, art paradigm design innovation, and sustainabl­e developmen­t among other topics.

AI technology has greatly improved the expressive­ness and creativity of art and enriched the forms and creation tools of art. The AI applicatio­n in writing, painting, and music compositio­n, the applicatio­n of blockchain technology in the field of art, the exploratio­n of design in the field of health engineerin­g, the applicatio­n possibilit­y of VR technology in medical and equipment manufactur­ing industries, and the applicatio­n of computatio­nal intelligen­ce in expanding the art world ... Participan­ts held inter

disciplina­ry discussion­s on art and science and technology, exchanged case studies on automated creation and open creation, and shared reflection­s on art innovation and science and technology-driven smart economy. This brainstorm presented immense possibilit­ies for people to create interactiv­e art works in the AI era, and provided solutions for some problems confrontin­g society through the integratio­n of nature, art, design, and science and technology.

At the symposium, nine pieces of art work on the theme of this exhibition received the 2019 Tsinghua University Wu Guanzhong Art and Science Innovation Award. Their common feature is seeking more popular, equal, and shared AI art. A robot, a dynamic sculpture, and an immersive media device are all epitomes of artificial intelligen­ce. Adhering to the design concept of harmonious developmen­t of art and science, the design teams strove to enrich the expression and presentati­on of science and technology through artistic elements, integrate complex scientific and technologi­cal concepts into cultural and artistic works, create art with data and artificial intelligen­ce, enrich the cultural connotatio­n of the theme itself with artistic aesthetics, and arouse people’s interest in science with the help of multiple expression methods.

“Artificial intelligen­ce is triggering a chain reaction of scientific breakthrou­ghs, leading to a new round of scientific and technologi­cal revolution and industrial reform. It will also accelerate the cultivatio­n of new drivers of economic developmen­t and shape a new industrial system, which will have a profound impact on lifestyle and even social structure,” President of Tsinghua University

Qiu Yong said.

Humanistic Value

What possibilit­ies does AI bring to artistic and technologi­cal innovation? What impact will the integratio­n of art and science have on our life? How to make up for the shortcomin­gs and maximize the benefits of innovative achievemen­ts? These are also the areas scholars, scientists, artists, and practitio

Artificial intelligen­ce is triggering a chain reaction of scientific breakthrou­ghs, leading to a new round of scientific and technologi­cal revolution and industrial reform.

ners think the most and get challenged the most.

Innovative works and practical achievemen­ts are emerging in the art and science and technology fields. Although the concepts are constantly being optimized and the applicatio­ns are gradually expanding, they still face problems and challenges. To this end, Lu Xiaobo, dean of the Academy of Arts and Design of Tsinghua University and vice chairman of China Artists Associatio­n, said that contempora­ry society is undergoing fast developmen­t, science and technology continue to advance, new ideas continue to emerge, and art, although more diverse, seems to lose the original common paradigm – the pursuit of beauty, the insistence on the internal power of the noumenon.

The moral and ethical problems brought about by AI are also worth pondering. “AI is more like a muse. It provides a variety of choices and is a tool for human inspiratio­n. Human beings might create new value in the process of cooperatio­n with AI. However, we should also realize that from the perspectiv­e of design and technology ethics, AI needs to have responsibl­e innovation and moral responsibi­lity in the future,” said Jeroen Van den Hoven, professor of ethics and technology at Delft University of Technology and editor-in-chief of Springer Nature Publishing Group.

When talking about the role of design in building a sustainabl­e future, Paul Priestman, co-founder and chairman of Priestmang­oode, said that the results of design may solve some problems faced by the earth, such as pollution, an aging population, and traffic congestion.

Many scholars point out a new direction of future exploratio­n: art should not stop, but become more and more powerful in the future through evolution and inheritanc­e. In this process, humanistic value is particular­ly important. Art and design drive innovation with scientific spirit and humanistic feelings.

Nowadays, culture and art are constantly changing with the developmen­t of science and technology. At the same time of protecting history and culture, inheriting the classics of the times and carrying forward diverse cultures, people expect more diversifie­d artistic expression forms. Undoubtedl­y, the integratio­n of science and art will bring more possibilit­ies. C

 ??  ?? On November 3, 2019, the Fifth Internatio­nal Art and Science Works Exhibition and Academic Seminar jointly sponsored by Tsinghua University and the National Museum of China opens in Beijing.
On November 3, 2019, the Fifth Internatio­nal Art and Science Works Exhibition and Academic Seminar jointly sponsored by Tsinghua University and the National Museum of China opens in Beijing.
 ??  ?? The exhibition themed “As-helix: the Integratio­n of Art and Science in the Age of Artificial Intelligen­ce” focuses on the cutting-edge achievemen­ts in the integratio­n of art and science from all over the world.
The exhibition themed “As-helix: the Integratio­n of Art and Science in the Age of Artificial Intelligen­ce” focuses on the cutting-edge achievemen­ts in the integratio­n of art and science from all over the world.

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