Events

Artificial Creativity – Aalto LASER Talks

Is artificial intelligence simply a tool, or does it possess creative capabilities?
Visual designer Merle Karp made this collage with AI, using photos by Mikko Raskinen, Anne Kinnunen and Aleksi Poutanen.
Visual designer Merle Karp made this collage with AI, using photos by Mikko Raskinen, Anne Kinnunen and Aleksi Poutanen.

Just a couple of years ago, artificial intelligence (AI) seemed like something out of science fiction to most of us. Today, large language models and generative AI are becoming integral to our everyday knowledge work. 

Is AI increasing our creativity?

Welcome to Marsio for an intriguing Aalto LASERtalks event with these speakers:

  • Professor of Psychology Mark A. Runco, Southern Oregon University & Aalto University (US)
  • Post-doctoral researcher Nadia M. Ady, Aalto University, Department of Computer Science (FI/CAN)
  • Doctoral researcher Florent Vinchon, Université Paris Cité (FR)
  • Screenwriter Katri Manninen (FI)
 

Artificial Creativity

16:00 Introduction & welcome, professor Mark A. Runco
 

 

The Human Touch in Artificial Creativity
Post-doctoral researcher Nadia M. Ady, Aalto University (FI)

From copyright fiascos to racial stereotypes, it is becoming relatively well known that the data gulped up by AI systems shapes what they generate and predict. Less recognized is the influence of human fallibilities and motivations as human designers decide the recipes these systems follow to do what it is they do. Researchers who aim to make creative systems can help us know our own human creativity better, while remembering these discoveries are delimited by the very human factors that shape the systems they create.
 
 
Impact and Uses of AI in Professional Settings Using a Co-cre-AI-tion Approach
Doctoral researcher Florent Vinchon, Université Paris Cité (FR)

The traditional definition of creativity is centered on unique human ingenuity, imagination, and the ability to generate novel ideas. However, the integration of AI in professional settings has shifted this perspective, fostering a co-cre-AI-tion approach where humans and AI collaborate to enhance productivity and innovation. This paradigm shift has already transformed workplaces by enabling more efficient problem-solving and expanding the creative process. Looking ahead, the future of creative jobs raises ethical questions about the evolving role of humans, as we must carefully navigate the balance between AI's capabilities and the preservation of human-centered creativity.

 
Why Would a Screenwriter (Not) Use AI? 
Screenwriter Katri Manninen (FI)

We're entering an era where some celebrate the idea that "now anyone can be a writer with the help of AI." As large language models generate ideas and full stories in mere minutes, some envision a future where screenwriters could delegate ideation and writing to AI. This raises critical questions: Why is this notion absurd from a professional writer's perspective? How might widespread AI adoption in writing lead to a deluge of generic content? The challenge for writers lies in rising above AI generated  "generic shit", while protecting their creativity, agency, and authorship.
 

The Artificial Creativity of AI is Very Different from the Authentic Creativity of Humans
Professor Mark A. Runco, Southern Oregon University & Aalto University (US)

There are claims that AI can be creative, but if models of creativity from humans are consulted, the output of AI is not actually creative. It is artificial and, giving the superficial appearance of creativity, may best be viewed as pseudo-creativity. AI certainly can augment human efforts but lacks intentionality, intrinsic motivation, and the capacity to find important problems in an autonomous fashion. 
 

17:20 Panel & questions from the audience 
18:00 Stage program ends, mingling begins

Join us at the Marsio Stage on the Otaniemi campus or watch the live stream on Aalto’s YouTube channel. In Marsio, the evening continues with relaxed conversation over food and drinks – and music. The venue has places for 120 people.

LASER Talks welcome everyone who is interested in challenging conventions and advancing new ways of thinking and working. The event is particularly relevant for doctoral students and alumni who seek to broaden their horizons. The language of the event will be English.

Professor and Creativity scholar Mark A. Runco. Photo by Julia Ruotsi/ Boardman
Photo by Julia Ruotsi/ Boardman

Our LASER Talks speakers

Mark A. Runco
Director of Creativity Research and Programming at Southern Oregon University  

Mark A. Runco is Editor in Chief of the Journal of Creativity and recipient of several Lifetime Achievement Awards for his research on creativity. His PhD is in cognitive psychology but his studies of creativity are also developmental, clinical, genetic, historical, and economic. His latest research examines the artificial creativity of AI. At the moment, Mark Runco is also Visiting Professor of Radical Creativity at Aalto University. 

Read more about Mark's work
 

Doctoral researcher Nadia M. Ady

Nadia M. Ady
Postdoctoral researcher, Aalto University

Nadia M. Ady's current research interests are in artificial intelligence, specifically focusing on imbuing machines with traits of creativity and curiosity. Her recent work has been to gain a better understanding of intrinsically motivated learning algorithms and to harness the benefits of specific curiosity for machine learners. Dr. Ady is a member of the Autotelic Interaction Research (AIR) group, which aims to understand, model, and support self-directed behaviour in AI, human beings, and their interactions.

Read more about Nadia's work

Doctoral researcher Florent Vinchon

Florent Vinchon 
Doctoral researcher at  Université Paris Cité (FR)

Florent Vinchon is working on assessing the creative skills of Generative Artificial Intelligences. 

Vinchon is studying people's perceptions of AI tools, as well as their actual skills. He supports a co-cre-AI-tion approach to creative tasks between humans and AI.

Read more about Florent's work
 

Screenwriter Katri Manninen

Katri Manninen
Screenwriter

Katri Manninen is "Finland's most artificially intelligent screenwriter" and a doctoral researcher at Aalto University. Her dissertation explores the impact of using artificial intelligence in developing drama series concepts on the work, experience, and attitudes of seasoned screenwriters. 

Her objective is to discover, cultivate, and instruct methods for using generative AI to enhance the creativity, agency, and authorship of writers.
 

LASER TALKS Logo

Leonardo/ISAST LASER Talks is a program of international gatherings that bring artists, scientists, humanists and technologists together for informal presentations, performances and conversations with the wider public. 

The mission of LASER is to encourage contribution to the cultural environment of a region by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and opportunities for community building to over 50 cities and 5 continents worldwide.

Marsio Stage events are tailored for simultaneous on-site and online participation. The venue has robotic cameras that cover the whole event area. Please note that the audience might appear in the live stream and recordings.

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More information:

How to get to Marsio?

  • Marsio is close to the the Aalto University metro station and tram 15 stop. The street address is Otakaari 2, 02150 Espoo, Finland
  • Directions on Google Maps | Apple Maps | OpenStreetMap
Distorted reflection of two people outside at Otaniemi campus

Radical Creativity

There is no set recipe for changing the world. It takes courage and grit to boldly create something new without fearing failure.

Colourful hands and Designs for a Cooler Planet logo on white background.

Designs for a Cooler Planet

Visit Designs for a Cooler Planet festival in Otaniemi on 6 Sep – 3 Oct 2024 to challenge your perception of the possible.

Three-part image: yellow flower and text Marsio on the left, image of Aino-Marsio-Aalto in the middle, Aalto logo on the right

Marsio

Marsio, the campus open-to-all meeting place, will open its doors in September 2024.

Visual designer Merle Karp made this collage with AI, using photos by Mikko Raskinen, Anne Kinnunen and Aleksi Poutanen.

LASER Talks

The mission of LASER is to encourage contribution to the cultural environment of a region by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and opportunities for community building to over 40 cities worldwide.

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Aalto Networking Platform

The Aalto Networking Platform brings together research expertise across departments, supporting collaboration both inside and outside of Aalto.

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Events programme – Designs for a Cooler Planet 2024

Attend over thirty open seminars, talks, tours, film screenings and workshops.

Events
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