Why it matters
We asked what it would look like to approach AI the same way creatives approach any new material.
The dominant story around AI says: prove you can use it, fast, before someone else does. Polished outputs, optimised workflows, the right tools in the right order. AI Playground started somewhere else. Borrowing from Anji Play — a Chinese pedagogy built on unstructured, child-led exploration; we approached it with curiosity, friendship, and the freedom to make ugly things. The point wasn't to produce work. The point was to find out what AI feels like in your hands when nothing is at stake.
How we did it
Curated by Nadia Piet and Computational Mama, AI Playground ran across four modules.
AI x image, AI x text, AI x the human body, AI x sound. Each one followed the same three-part rhythm. An artist talk — a behind-the-screens look at how someone working in that medium actually uses AI. A workshop — a hands-on session with Computational Mama and a guest, no prior knowledge required. And a written guide co-authored with a collaborator and published openly. 400+ creatives joined across the program.
What we made
AI X IMAGE
TALK - DEEP (ML) DIVING W/ WHALES FOR CLIMATE
The team led a candid behind-the-scenes talk about their journey from concept to execution of their Whales Tales Project, including the nitty-gritty of using AI, ML and GAN Networks for image-making, and interactive storytelling for climate awareness. Watch the published talk here.
WORKSHOP - GOOD OLD D(AI)S W/ AARATI AKKAPEDDI
Interdisciplinary artist Aarati Akkapeddi uses AI to explore the themes of family, memory and childhood. During this workshop, Aarati took us on an immersive deep-dive into working with AI and ML in combination with our own personal images to reflect on the old and new memories that emerge. Missed out this time? Catch up here.
REPORT - AI x [MOVING] IMAGE
Humans have always made images to preserve memories and tell stories and each innovation, like photography & video, makes us rethink image-making. AI/ML tools now invite us to reimagine our role as creators and viewers. We explored how these tools impact image-making and address concerns about misuse with Catarina Rodrigues. Read the report here.
AI X THE BODY
TALK - NAVIGATING SELF & BODY ON THE INTERNET W/ MAYA MAN
In this talk, Maya Man will share her work that translating ur self & body into pixels. Her background in dance has led her to projects that mix performance and computer vision to pushes our expectations for how bodies can be represented in the browser. Maya will share with us projects she’s been working on, highlighting the ways she thinks about how we represent ourselves on screen 🤳🏾 Watch the published talk on youtube.
WORKSHOP - LEARN TO FINGERP(AI)NT WITH WORDS W/ COMPUTATIONAL MAMA
In this workshop, @computationalmama will introduce us to PoseNet, a real-time pose detection model, and teach us how to fingerp(ai)nt with words. Catch up on the workshop recording here.
REPORT - AI x THE BODY
Cailean Finn tells us about human pose detection and recognition technology. In this application of AI/ML, the technology hasn’t been accessible to ‘outsiders’ until recently. Dive into the report here.
AI X TEXT
TALK - RECL(AI)MING PLEASURE THROUGH F(AI)LURE W/ EMILY MARTINEZ
The tools we use to create narratives with AI are modern in their performance but stuck in the past carrying our ingrained biases and stereotyping. In this talk, critical artist Emily Martinez from @Queer AI, shared how they work to reclaim agency and fight biases with (AI) storytelling. You can watch this talk here.
WORKSHOP - N(AI)VE POETRY COLLABORATIONS W/ ANDREAS REFSGAARD
Led by artist and creative technologist Andreas Refsgaard, we explore Digital Poetry in a fun and hands-on workshop using a beginner’s introduction to code and ML systems. Participants will see examples of interactive poetry, do hands-on activities with GPT-3 and discuss ideas for building interactive experiences around generated texts. Major FOMO? Watch it back here.
REPORT - AI x TEXT
This report by Fred Wordie is our collection of learning and resources on text-generating AI – one of the most accessible and widespread applications of machine learning. Read the report here.
AI X SOUND
TALK - BUILDING SOUNDSCAPES THROUGH (MACHINE) LEARNED HISTORIES w/ FELIPE SANCHEZ-LUNA / KLINGKLANGKLONG
In this talk, Felipe shared how he’s used data and AI to create music, offering insight into his practise working with generative sound. Watch (and listen👂) to the talk on youtube.
WORKSHOP - COMPOSING CHROM(AI)TIC RESONANCES: TURN IMAGES INTO SHORT MUSICAL SCORES w/ SOYUN PARK
In this workshop, artist Soyun Park will guide you through starting your journey with musical compositions and AI using your visual component. It’s a great session for those who feel they find it tough to approach and incorporate musical elements in their visual projects and are tired of stock sound bytes. Missed out this time? Catch up here.
REPORT - AI x SOUND
ลำธาร หาญตระกูล (Lamtharn Hantrakul) aka Yaboi Hanoi explores the intersection of music and technology, specifically AI advancements. He discusses AI's application in music creation, available state-of-the-art tools for experimentation, and the importance of transcultural AI. Read the report on our notion.
More projects.
(2019-25©)
