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In this episode from 2013’s Black Mirror, a recent widow, portrayed by Hayley Atwell, joins an internet service that collects all of a person’s online activity to generate a simulated version of themselves. She begins communicating with her deceased husband (Domhnall Gleeson) through this program, leading to classic Black Mirror twists.
Laurie Anderson, an American artist, musician, and intellectual, is not familiar with the specific episode, but has recently become deeply enamored with an AI program that can imitate the words and writing style of her late partner and collaborator, Lou Reed, a founding member of the Velvet Underground who passed away in 2013.
During a video call from New York, she explains, “People often tell me, ‘You were so foresighted. I didn’t understand what you were saying at the time.'”
A latest display by Anderson, titled I’ll Be Your Mirror, is currently on display in Adelaide. Anderson will participate in an In Conversation event through live streaming on Wednesday, March 6. During Anderson’s previous trip to Australia in March 2020, she collaborated with the Australian Institute for Machine Learning at the University of Adelaide for a week. However, due to the pandemic, she had to return home on one of the last flights. During their time together, they delved into the potential of language-based AI models and their impact on art, drawing inspiration from Anderson’s written works.
During a research study, a large collection of Reed’s written works, songs, and interviews were input into a computer. Ten years after his passing, this algorithm allows Anderson to input prompts, prompting an AI version of Reed to generate written responses for her in both prose and verse.
“I’m completely and unfortunately obsessed with this,” she chuckles. “Even after all these years, I still am. I’m literally incapable of stopping, and my friends can’t stand it – ‘You’re not doing that again, are you?'”
I don’t believe I’m communicating with my deceased spouse or composing songs with them. However, everyone has their own unique style, which can be imitated by others.
According to Anderson, the outcomes can vary. He claims that about 75% of them are nonsensical and foolish, while approximately 15% are intriguing. The remaining percentage is considered quite engaging, which Anderson believes is a favorable balance for writing.
Anderson begins typing as they continue the call. “Actually, I’ll pull it up now during our conversation so you can give me the exact wording.”
I observe the morning traffic through my window and comment on the ordinary sight of a bus waiting on the street. As we continue our conversation, she inputs this information.
In 2020, Anderson compared the work of the institute to collaborating with the most brilliant mind imaginable.
Before the introduction of ChatGPT and Midjourney, AI was seen as a distant concept with limited practical uses, mostly regarded as just a subject for science fiction.
New advancements have raised novel inquiries regarding creativity, morality, and lawfulness. These range from worries about AI-created pornography to the use of copyrighted material without authorization and the production of “fake” songs by creating digital replicas of popular artists like Drake and the Weeknd who are still alive.
A few of Anderson’s colleagues have been harsh in their criticism; when presented with lyrics generated in his unique style by ChatGPT, Nick Cave rejected it as “an offensive imitation”. (To make matters even worse, he added, “this song is dreadful”.)
Anderson values the reservations that extend beyond the latest surprising advancements.
Anderson mentioned a Čapek play called RUR, or, Rossum’s Universal Robots, from 1920. The play explored the concept of robots becoming dominant and causing concern among people at the time. Anderson speculated that this fear may have stemmed from the creation of the golem.
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The first thing the institute created using Anderson’s input had a similarly Old Testament quality, generated by an AI Laurie Anderson.
“It was a 9,000-page manuscript written in my unique voice, recounting the narratives from the Bible. It was both unsettling and exhilarating, given the absurdity present in the text – a talking snake, a man who lived for 800 years?”
This week, the AI-generated Bible and other works created by Anderson and Reed’s doppelgangers will feature in I’ll Be Your Mirror, exhibited at the State Library of South Australia as part of Adelaide festival. Anderson won’t be making the trip this time but will dial in for a few talks – the steady ping of emails arriving throughout our conversation hint at the 76-year-old’s relentless schedule.
After receiving a lifetime achievement award at the Grammys in February, I wonder if Laurie Anderson has reflected on her legacy, considering the possibility of algorithms creating “Laurie Anderson” art even after her passing.
“Why not? It doesn’t bother me. I’m not very attached to time, you know?”
“When individuals pass away, their words, music, and writings serve as a reminder of their presence and essence. Even though they are no longer with us physically, their legacy lives on through these pieces. This is true for notable figures like Dostoevsky, Plato, and the Buddha, whose works continue to impact others. As humans, we may have a short lifespan in comparison to the bigger picture, but our contributions can leave a lasting impact.”
After the machine’s ghost has completed processing, it presents some newly crafted lyrics reminiscent of Lou Reed’s style, inspired by the bus stop I usually encounter.
The road and the heavens above.
When you die
at a railroad crossingI will be waiting in a bus that is stationary at a railroad crossing.
, I saw 5 cats.During my commute to work, I spotted a total of five cats.
And no more
weRephrased:
Less than ten minutes ago
will depart at 11pmThe final train of the day will leave at 11pm
dwindlingArrives in the city as the light starts to fade.
,stripped of his everythingInitially, Dim was weak and lacking in substance, having lost everything he had.
would be an userReword:
A small fraction of that would make up a user.
overWithin half a second, it’s finished.
As the saying goes, you must experience it firsthand.
There are many potential issues that can arise.
package isWhat was your reasoning for considering this package?
What a great idea!
Are you not receiving adequate compensation?
?Why not engage in a game instead of paying taxes?
Some tennis or take up quilting
levels of your functions“Enhance the hygiene standards of your operations”
worldThis immense and depraved globe
Island from which you sail
?
Does it amaze you that you are still living?Despite the abundance of sugary excess
, one more chocolate –Having one cigarette, a glass of wine, and another piece of chocolate
Can you share if you enjoy it?
What emotions does it elicit from you?
Do you enjoy the bitter flavor?
I want to know if Reed mentions “quilting” frequently in his writing, and Anderson responds with her typical combination of playfulness and depth.
“I believe that could be the initial instance.”
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The exhibition I’ll Be Your Mirror is currently on display until March 17th at the Adelaide Festival. As a part of Adelaide Writers’ Week, Laurie Anderson will be appearing via live stream for an In Conversation event on Wednesday, March 6th.
Source: theguardian.com
