Science & Technology

How AI Art Could Enhance Humanity’s Collective Memory | Refik Anadol | TED

With data as his paintbrush, media artist Refik Anadol trains AI algorithms to visualize the disappearing wonders of nature. He gives a beautiful tour of his recent work — imagery of artificial coral reefs, flowers, rainforests — and ponders: Can we use AI to preserve our memories of the fading natural world? If you love…

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With data as his paintbrush, media artist Refik Anadol trains AI algorithms to visualize the disappearing wonders of nature. He gives a beautiful tour of his recent work — imagery of artificial coral reefs, flowers, rainforests — and ponders: Can we use AI to preserve our memories of the fading natural world?

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81 Comments

  1. Steph F

    August 25, 2023 at 7:57 am

    We do not consent

    • Skidrow

      August 25, 2023 at 11:58 am

      Your corporate overlords don’t care. Submit and you shall flourish, Resist and you will be perished.

  2. Aspartame69

    August 25, 2023 at 8:18 am

    Communists.

  3. Mr. Unknown

    August 25, 2023 at 8:25 am

    Data visualisation is not Art. 

    Someone that struggles to grasp the semantic meaning of a word should lecture anyone on such term…

    • Skidrow

      August 25, 2023 at 11:59 am

      Shouldn’t

  4. Karen Tapia

    August 25, 2023 at 8:41 am

    No.

  5. Toni

    August 25, 2023 at 8:57 am

    Turn that introduction exposion off or at least, down to the volume of the speach.

  6. Marius Fanea

    August 25, 2023 at 8:58 am

    An artist has to spend a lifetime of studying shapes and colors, never-ending, failure, just that one day he or she might be able to create something that an AI can render in a matter of minutes.

    • ihonestlydon'tcare

      August 25, 2023 at 9:20 am

      i am a photographer and illustrator and honestly, this stuff worries me to no end and i hate how they push it. my career could end any minute now.

    • Marius Fanea

      August 25, 2023 at 9:37 am

      @kabukimanindahouse  I used to do concept drawings, and now I just keep the ideas stored inside my head, hoping that one day I might have the courage to start again. It doesn’t really worry me for now, cause most of the concepts that AI produces are beautiful but random, for now.

    • Skidrow

      August 25, 2023 at 10:31 am

      ​​@ihonestlydon’tcareDude i am Senior Data Scientist who got layed off 4 months ago. Worked at Deloitte for good 5 years had good relations with fellow co-workers & superiors and most importantly good performance record, but at the end of the day still got layed off in the month of May-2023, citing lacks of projects as the major reason. When in reality i know these companies are deliberately downsizing their human workforce, so they can train AI models on the tasks with much fewer and fewer people to check the AI’s work. Honestly the Age of AI has only brought more doom and gloom for the common man. Alot more tech layoffs are on the way, the Faang companies have drastically reduced overall hiring, some have actually stopped new hiring altogether. Your job isn’t safe regardless of which career you choose.

    • Jawn Explores

      August 25, 2023 at 8:05 pm

      ​@ihonestlydon’tcareharness, and innovate – but I understand your points. Not great for getting regular work.. /paid

  7. Samuel Zev

    August 25, 2023 at 9:00 am

    Might be better to use A.I to find faster solution to our energy dependence in fossil fuels because that’s the prime reason why we have climate change.

  8. Le Anh Tu

    August 25, 2023 at 9:11 am

    As a software developer, I’d like to caution against letting software developers envision what the world should look like.

    • Skidrow

      August 25, 2023 at 10:41 am

      Exactly

    • Mert Kırımgeri

      August 25, 2023 at 6:52 pm

      That’s a self deprecating statement.

  9. ihonestlydon'tcare

    August 25, 2023 at 9:14 am

    I seriously don’t understand why AI needs to do art so badly. It’s the only thing expressing the essence of humanity, that wasn’t meant to be replicated by a machine. The human expression isn’t found in slinging around Amazon boxes for minimum wage, something a robot should be doing. No, we have to force the robots doing art. One day you’ll see how boring and dystopian it’s going to be, if art, creation and storytelling is only made by artificial intelligence. It’s already too late.

  10. Hackille

    August 25, 2023 at 9:15 am

    nah dude. how did this guy even manage to get on stage. wtf.

  11. Jayde Tayla

    August 25, 2023 at 9:26 am

    Yeah, no thanks. I’d rather my art be created and conjured up by a REAL human person. AI art is nothing but soulless trash.

    • Skidrow

      August 25, 2023 at 12:00 pm

      Your corporate overlords have some plans for you.

  12. Manuel B

    August 25, 2023 at 9:54 am

    GREAT, with this tech we we won’t need nature, indigenous peoples or wiseness anymore. Why is it that elit’s children are always providing solutions disconnected from nature’s and people’s daily struggles? Don’t bother, it’s just rethorical.

  13. Peter Weller

    August 25, 2023 at 10:04 am

    I would like to live long enough to see that.

  14. gelatonio

    August 25, 2023 at 10:26 am

    this is such a disheartening video to see. goodbye ted talks maybe will see you soon with the AI-generated videos x

  15. XerosXIII

    August 25, 2023 at 10:58 am

    Incredible works.
    Also hoping for the best for humanity in this new era.

    • Skidrow

      August 25, 2023 at 12:03 pm

      There is no humanity beyond this Age. All and everything is done by AI, we are going to human cognition. Maybe we require data engineers and machine learning experts for now but even they will be replaced soon.

  16. lc3

    August 25, 2023 at 11:38 am

    No

  17. Ya

    August 25, 2023 at 12:23 pm

    It started with furrys smh

  18. fmbray

    August 25, 2023 at 1:00 pm

    I’ve never hated a TED talk until now. The fact that AI is taking over the humanity of us all instead of the menial labor and things that it *could* be used for, is absolutely damning. This is not art. This is not really “preserving” nature other than sewing together multiple images human photographers have taken. This mishmash of images does nothing exciting or revolutionary other than dulling the human imagination and collective consciousness. It doesn’t create, it takes existence and cobbles together a bunch of pixels into a poor facsimile of what it’s supposed to replicate.

  19. Tatiane Braga dos Reis

    August 25, 2023 at 1:37 pm

    It’s not about substitution…it’s about growing. Technology offers tools, not inteligence. There’s no Artificial Intelligence, but artificial models which emulate thinking. We are actually affraid of ourselves, our lack of principles and emphaty

    • Fabio Silveira

      August 25, 2023 at 7:22 pm

      Exactly, but it does not change the fact that it will be used as substitution to some degree. It’s a turning point, just like nuclear fission once was. But the cat is out of the box already, all we can do is try to better reconcile our workflow around this huge new tool and hope it doesn’t have such a negative impact on the lives of everyone.

  20. superAIsor

    August 25, 2023 at 2:31 pm

    Refik Anadol’s work is nothing short of breathtaking. The fusion of data, art, and nature captures the essence of our rapidly changing world. It’s inspiring to think about how AI can help us preserve and appreciate the fleeting beauty of nature.

  21. getttthis

    August 25, 2023 at 3:10 pm

    TED should be ashamed to promote this at expense of artists who are already so disrespected and unvalued! AI isn’t capable of anything when it comes to art, it just steals and pretends to make something new that’s just generic, because surprise! it’s uncapable of actual creation, it doesn’t have feelings or a life story or culture to breath something new and life changing into visuals. Push its “wonders” into us is just dystopic bullshit!

  22. Simte

    August 25, 2023 at 5:29 pm

    Nah, sorry to be pessimistic but human greed taints every technological advance.

  23. Mario Bendor's Comentario

    August 25, 2023 at 6:15 pm

    What a waste. Preserving nature? Nah! Let’s Artificially preserve it!
    It’s depressing.

  24. simonshikos

    August 25, 2023 at 7:57 pm

    I think the scope of this presentation might not the best. I might be wrong. However, it would be interesting to use AI in order to teach the importance of safeguarding real nature, not just recreate them to preserve our memories of extinct species.

  25. Alex Narinskyi

    August 25, 2023 at 8:58 pm

    Humanity: destroying life in the name of art since 50000 BC

  26. 龱oɹǝH ɹǝdnS ∀

    August 26, 2023 at 12:52 am

    “The United Nations will continue to be a proud partner in advancing peace, sustainable development and human rights for the people of Africa.”

    On Thursday’s Africa Day, UN Secretary António Guterres said the continent deserves peace, justice and international solidarity.
    (May 25)

  27. 龱oɹǝH ɹǝdnS ∀

    August 26, 2023 at 12:52 am

    “The United Nations strongly condemns the assault against the democratically elected government and supports the efforts of ECOWAS and the African Union to restore democracy.”
    — António Guterres🇺🇳
    (June 28)

  28. 龱oɹǝH ɹǝdnS ∀

    August 26, 2023 at 12:52 am

    “I believe the Iran Nuclear Agreement will mark the beginning of a much improved relationship between Iran and the international community and an opportunity to strengthen regional security cooperation among Middle East states.”
    — Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the UN
    (April 5, 2015)

  29. 龱oɹǝH ɹǝdnS ∀

    August 26, 2023 at 12:53 am

    Today, we honor Kofi Annan, the United Nations’ seventh Secretary-General and a true advocate for global harmony. Antonio Guterres, current Secretary-General of the United Nations, recalls Annan as a “guiding force for good” and a “proud son of Africa.” His legacy inspires us to champion dialogue, understanding, and progress.

    Kofi Annan’s portrait, a gift from the Islamic Republic of Iran🇮🇷, stands as a symbol of his enduring impact in the General Assembly lobby.

  30. 龱oɹǝH ɹǝdnS ∀

    August 26, 2023 at 12:53 am

    KENYA AND TANZANIA WORK TO IMPROVE TRADE TIES, DAR ES SALAAM.

    Kenya will work with Tanzania to eliminate barriers to cross-border trade. President William Ruto said he has agreed with President Samia Suluhu Hassan on a plan that will spur commerce between the two countries.

    He noted that a borderless East African Community (EAC) will foster free movement of goods and services, thereby unlocking the bloc’s economic potential.

    “Once Cabinet Secretaries are approved by Parliament, those concerned with EAC issues will meet their Tanzania counterparts to fix the outstanding barriers to pave way for improved business environment.”

    —William Samoei Ruto🇰🇪
    President of the Republic of Kenya

  31. 龱oɹǝH ɹǝdnS ∀

    August 26, 2023 at 12:54 am

    We will expand our engagement with Tanzania on trade, agriculture, security among other areas of interest, besides working together in the spirit of the East African Community for our mutual benefit.

    Hosted Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Karen Office in Nairobi County.

    —William Samoei Ruto🇰🇪
    President of the Republic of Kenya
    (September 13, 2022)

  32. 阿卜杜·安拉٭٭٭⃝🇨🇳٭٭

    August 26, 2023 at 12:58 am

    “As the African continent, we are determined that the continent’s substantial resources are harnessed for the benefit and development of Africa’s people. The African Continental Free Trade Area, once fully operational, will unlock the benefits of the continental market and generate substantial opportunities for Africa and other countries.”

    Welcome remarks by BRICS Chair, President Cyril Ramaphosa at the BRICS-Africa Outreach and BRICS Plus Dialogue!

    — The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa 🇿🇦

  33. 阿卜杜·安拉٭٭٭⃝🇨🇳٭٭

    August 26, 2023 at 12:58 am

    KEY ISSUES FOR THE 2023 BRICS SUMMIT

    The 15th BRICS summit 2023 in South Africa ended with the admission of 6 new countries, including two from Africa (Ethiopia and Egypt). In addition to the enlargement of the organization, this meeting had several other issues at stake:

    – Overhauling the system of global governance. The BRICS want to offer a financial alternative to the Bretton Woods institutions, such as the World Bank and IMF, and have created the new BRICS Development Bank.

    – The creation of a $100 billion fund to provide development aid to countries that so desire.

    • 阿卜杜·安拉٭٭٭⃝🇨🇳٭٭

      August 26, 2023 at 12:59 am

      – The creation of a new currency, pegged to gold or to a basket of currencies from the five countries.

      – The de-dollarization of the global economy. The BRICS also want to tackle the issue of de-dollarization, by trying to convince several countries to leave the dollar as their international transaction currency.

      – Expanding the BRICS: Many countries have applied to join the BRICS, or have expressed an interest in doing so. Current member countries will need to clarify conditions and define protocols for integrating new members or developing strategic partnerships.

  34. 🆃🅺𝓐 〘Pra𝖕a𝖙anKa𝖑i𝖘ar⃝i〙

    August 26, 2023 at 1:08 am

    👩🏼‍🎓🇺🇳
    “Every country in the world faces challenges and one of our challenges is to ensure that we deal with poverty, lack of education and also to make sure that our people enjoy good health.”
    ~Nelson Mandela

  35. 🆃🅺𝓐 〘Pra𝖕a𝖙anKa𝖑i𝖘ar⃝i〙

    August 26, 2023 at 1:08 am

    🌸👩🏼‍🎓
    “Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.”
    ~Nelson Mandela

  36. 🆃🅺𝓐 〘Pra𝖕a𝖙anKa𝖑i𝖘ar⃝i〙

    August 26, 2023 at 1:09 am

    👩🏼‍🎓🇺🇳
    “A vote without food, shelter and health care would be to create the appearance of equality while actual inequality is entrenched. We do not want freedom without bread, nor do we want bread without freedom.”
    ~Nelson Mandela
    during his investiture, Clark University, Atlanta , USA, 10 July 1993

    “Our clean flowing rivers must be known by my grandchildren’s grandchildren, many years from now, just as I knew them as a child, many years ago.”
    ~Nelson Mandela, 16 November 2000

    Mandela believed in the preservation of the environment. We honour his legacy and recognise that climate change is a social justice issue that is already severely affecting Africa.

    As the Nelson Mandela Foundation, we invite you to join the fight against climate change and food insecurity.

  37. 🆃🅺𝓐 〘Pra𝖕a𝖙anKa𝖑i𝖘ar⃝i〙

    August 26, 2023 at 1:10 am

    👩🏼‍🎓🇮🇳
    “Human beings will always be able to find arguments for confrontation and no compromise. We humans are, however, beings capable of reason, compassion and change.”
    ~Nelson Mandela
    message to the Global Convention on Peace and Non-Violence, New Delhi, India, 31 January 2004

  38. 🆃🅺𝓐 〘Pra𝖕a𝖙anKa𝖑i𝖘ar⃝i〙

    August 26, 2023 at 1:11 am

    👩🏼‍🎓🇺🇳
    “One of the most important lessons I learnt in my life of struggle for freedom and peace is that in any conflict there comes a point when neither side can claim to be right and the other wrong, no matter how much that might have been the case at the start of a conflict.”
    ~Nelson Mandela
    during a video message for the signing of the Geneva Accord, December 2003

  39. 🆃🅺𝓐 〘Pra𝖕a𝖙anKa𝖑i𝖘ar⃝i〙

    August 26, 2023 at 1:12 am

    👩🏼‍🎓🇨🇭
    “In the end we must remember that no amount of rules or their enforcement will defeat those who struggle with justice on their side.”
    ~Nelson Mandela
    at the 50th anniversary of the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), Geneva, Switzerland, 19 May 1998

  40. 🆃🅺𝓐 〘Pra𝖕a𝖙anKa𝖑i𝖘ar⃝i〙

    August 26, 2023 at 1:13 am

    TED 👩🏼‍🎓🌺
    I have a new content [LIVE]— for you!

    And yes, for yourself 👏🏻

    Thank you 👩🏼‍🎓

  41. Snoozed Sneeze

    August 26, 2023 at 4:16 am

    Refik Anadol Studios raised 2 million usd (and more in royalties) through their NFT collection called ‘Winds of Yawanawa’. 80% of the funds generated from the collection have been directly donated to the Yawanawa Tribe in their own smart contract in order to help them building a cultural centre that’s focused on empowering them in their quest to educate others about their culture, Amazonian culture as well as the general need for ecological preservation.
    20% of the funds go towards production costs for creation, showcasing and distribution of the artwork.
    RAS (Studio) and The House of Fine Art (Gallery) aren’t pocketing anything from this. It’s one of the purest versions of altruism we get to see.
    And the ‘product’ has all collectors extremely thrilled about it too.

    This isn’t the average donation that never reaches those putting in the real work.

  42. MinHo Cha

    August 26, 2023 at 8:22 am

    love his art journey ❤

  43. Nelson Hernandez Martin

    August 26, 2023 at 11:28 am

    Maravilloso Rafik!

  44. Hiệp Gà Rừng

    August 26, 2023 at 3:56 pm

    Thanks ❤❤❤

  45. H11TV

    August 26, 2023 at 3:56 pm

    Thanks ❤❤❤

  46. Paul danne Lachica

    August 26, 2023 at 9:33 pm

    Wow

  47. Claus

    August 27, 2023 at 5:46 am

    Regardless of the kind of storage media, i.e. folk memory, papyrus leaf, kymograph, phonograph; photography, cinematography; magnetic tape,
    diskette, hard disk, cd rom, dvd, micro chip;
    recorded and stored information prove nothing but accumulated “dead” abstracta of human perception;
    remaining useless as long as we deny learning our lessons from History.
    Man without Mind, Mind without Memory, Memory without Responsibility, Humanity without Enlightenment on her own account is likely to “defy” AI, for IT can’t substitute for human consciousness and conscience.

  48. Naveen 9

    August 27, 2023 at 6:33 pm

    Artwork is heartwork. An artist would find AI as interesting tool to contribute to arts related world without overwhelming human contributions in the same.
    Being bit old school in arts I donot use AI still but it seems curious.

  49. Littleshin Shin

    August 28, 2023 at 11:55 pm

    I’m a big fan of him, but this is beyond a joke… AI can’t not replace any of actual thing. AI graphic is merely based on the Media arts. Nothing more. It’s just the mixture of the images

  50. Dan Miller

    August 29, 2023 at 4:21 am

    This is bullshit. I hope future generations have more than just psychedelic AI generated hallucinations to remember the past. How about we work to preserve what we have?

  51. Kai Elvin

    August 31, 2023 at 12:56 pm

    What is the difference between this project, and models like MidJourney’s? Any model is biased, but the more resolution, the less possible bias. Midjourney will learn in what conditions a specific plant should be found in.

  52. Biking Like Becker

    August 31, 2023 at 6:17 pm

    Oh, I thought the title said “How Art Could Enhance Humanity’s Collective Memory”… I was gonna recommend searching images for “Cairn T Ceiling Stone”…
    A depiction of an event ~13000 years ago that we are still feeling the effects of today not only Geologically, but also Geo-Politically.. i.e. Jericho is in Palestine/Jordan…

  53. NESherv

    August 31, 2023 at 10:30 pm

    Complete BS. Art is supposed to be for humans, not machines. A human who prompts Al to make them art isn’t an artist.

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