Art + Media Studio | 2024 | Generative AI



Course Description

The Generative AI in Art course offers a deep dive into how machine learning and artificial intelligence can intersect with artistic creation. Participants will gain hands-on experience with AI tools and methodologies for art generation, covering a range of techniques from image synthesis to photogrammetry and music composition. This course emphasizes practical skills in using AI for art, including understanding different AI models and their application in creative processes. Additionally, it touches on the ethical considerations surrounding AI in art, such as questions of authorship, originality, and privacy.

Some of the topics that we will explore in this course include but are not limited to:

  • Text generation (LLM, chatbots)
  • Image generation (txt2img, img2img, inpainting, outpainting)
  • Video generation (open and closed source)
  • Audio generation
  • 3D assets generation
  • Code generation and scripting
  • Interactivity

Some of the tools that will be used during the course include but are not limited to:

  • Automatic 1111
  • ComfyUI
  • Dalle 3
  • ChatGPT & LLMs
  • Midjourney
  • ElevenLabs
  • Krita
  • Blender
  • Touchdesigner
  • Postshot
  • Huggingface
  • Oculus VR

This is not a programming course, however Python will be used for some tools, thus we will familiarize with some of its features along the way.

Learning Outcomes

From the Generative AI in Art course, students can expect to achieve a variety of learning outcomes, including:

  • Understanding of Generative AI Concepts: Gain a foundational knowledge of key concepts in generative AI, including how algorithms can be designed to create art.

  • Practical AI Tools Proficiency: Develop hands-on experience with a range of AI tools and techniques for generating visual art, music, and other forms of creative media. Additionally, acquire an awareness of current trends and future possibilities in the intersection of AI and art.

  • Creative Application of AI Technologies: Learn to creatively apply AI models and tools in artistic projects, exploring the boundaries of what’s possible with current technology.

  • Critical Analysis Skills: Enhance the ability to critically analyze and discuss the implications of using AI in art, including ethical considerations and the impact on concepts of authorship and originality.

Classroom

K103 Computers

The computers located in Väre K103 are the ones that we will use during the course (See Schedule). They have most of the tools that we need. Please remember to save all your outputs in your Aalto hard drive, because the computers clean the data once the session is over.

VDI Access

Additionally, you can remotely access the K103 computers using the Aalto VDI system. It its reccomended to install the client on your personal computer. More information here. You have to login with your Aalto credentials, then select “Win Väre K103 Classroom” to access the computers. You will be assigned the first available computer from the K103 room, thus it is recommended to save everything in your Aalto hard drive.

Azure Cloud

We will also use the Azure Cloud for some of the exercises or if you need more power for rendering your final project. Each student has 70 hours allocated for working on the virtual machines on Azure Labs. Please use this time sparingly for when you really need it as the costs add up very quickly. It is recommended to prototype and explore on the local computer in K103 until you really need to use the more powerful GPU on the cloud. You will be given access to the cloud during the course.

Communication

We will set some communication channels for the course on the first day.

Schedule 2024

WE have reserved the K103 classroom for the duration of the course, on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9:00 to 17:00. However, Thursdays are reserved for independent work, thus sometimes the teacher will not be present. The schedule is subject to change, so please check it regularly.

Period IV

Week 01 | Introduction to Generative AI

TIMEWED 27/03
13:15–15:00Introductions and Setup
TIMEWED 10/04
13:15–15:00Project Presentations

Period V

Week 02 | Language and Machines

TIMEWED 24/04THU 25/04FRI 26/04
09:15–12:00How machines think?Independent WorkDiffusion Process
12:00–13:00🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕
13:15–17:00LLMsIndependent WorkMy First Image

Week 03 | Models and Copies

TIMEWED 01/05THU 02/05FRI 03/05
09:15–12:00No ClassIndependent WorkModels
12:00–13:00No Class🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕
13:15–17:00No ClassIndependent WorkTrain Yourself

Week 04 | Videos and Voices

TIMEWED 08/05THU 09/05FRI 10/05
09:15–12:00Advanced ComfyUIIndependent WorkFake Voices
12:00–13:00🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕
13:15–17:00Krita & ComfyUIIndependent WorkFake Music

Week 05 | New Dimensions

TIMEWED 15/05THU 16/05FRI 17/05
10:00–12:00Scripting and 3DIndependent WorkTouchDesigner and AI
12:00–13:00🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕
13:15–17:00TouchDesigner and AIIndependent WorkTouchDesigner and AI

Week 06 | Experimentation and Play

TIMEWED 22/05THU 23/05FRI 24/05
10:00–12:00Independent WorkProject WorkProject Work
12:00–13:00🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕
13:15–17:00Project WorkIndependent WorkProject Work

Week 07 | Final Project and Exhibition

TIMEWED 29/05THU 30/05FRI 31/05
10:00–12:00Project WorkProject WorkExhibition Setup
12:00–13:00🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕🥗🍜🍱🍝🍕
13:15–17:00Project WorkProject WorkExhibition Opening (16:00)