http://dtc-wsuv.org/jhall24/TowerD/index.html

By Joeseph, Vincent, and Evan

https://dtc-wsuv.org/jhall24/website/index.html

My business is an independent videogame development company. Currently it is just me and ChatGPT, but the AI-powered tools provide automated code suggestions that can significantly speed up my programming process. These tools leverage large databases of code to suggest snippets that fit the context of the current project. This is particularly beneficial for beginner programmers like myself, who can learn from the suggestions and see best practices in action.

I have been working with ChatGPT for almost a year now developing code together, and I believe that I am understanding the language and verbage needed to squeeze meaningful code and help from the program. The AI allows users to describe functionality in natural language, which it can then translate into code. This can drastically reduce the entry barrier for individuals new to programming, allowing them to focus on the logic of what they want to achieve rather than the syntax of how to express it. Debugging is an interesting area when it comes to AI generated code, as AI is less prone to mistakes at what it thinks you want done, the largest problem I’ve found with AI code is that it may change variable or code names without warning. The other big issue is trying to explain what it is you want from the AI and iterating through what it thinks you want. For example saying you want an image on top of another has multiple meanings, do we want them one above the other? Do we want them overlapping? Finding where the disconnect is in the human prompts is the primary issue that is repeated in my work.

Final project will be an interactive informative webpage to help younger audiences better understand programming concepts. It will be a page divided into 2 like a book, with the left side being a spellbook page or scroll that shows a magical spell. When you run the mouse over this image you are able to ‘see’ through the spell into C# code that does the same thing. The right side of the page will have further explanations of what is going on in the spellcode and may have links to further reading or documentation.

The essay will be about the difficulties of getting ChatGPT to do what I want, and not what it THINKS I want. One of my first issues was trying to clear up a misunderstanding about two images being on top of eachother, AI thought I wanted them stacked one and then the other below it like scrolling down a page. However I wanted them to be stacked on top of eachother overlapping, one entirely obscuring the other. It took the better part of an hour to figure out how to explain what I needed after figuring out where the disconnect was in our communication.

Welcome to the Nocturne travel website, https://dtc-wsuv.org/jhall24/compendium/

Type/Genre: Tower Defense

Role: Programmer

Description: Tower defense game is a browser-based interactive game developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, featuring a mix of strategy and action elements set in a 2D environment.Players must defend their territory from waves of incoming enemies by strategically placing towers on the game board.

https://dtc-wsuv.org/jhall24/jsjoe/rippler.html

https://dtc-wsuv.org/jhall24/jsjoe/liner.html

https://dtc-wsuv.org/jhall24/jsjoe/treer.html

https://youtu.be/tmf__NfIFcQ?si=DtU_k2xzkv6SlGeu

I am going to make a video documentary about a creature on an alien planet. There will be high shots above the clouds to begin with and a lot of semi close up shots keeping the viewer intimate with the subject. The video will imply a journey with an old man through an alien forest explaining the creature we find. We will focus on the teddybear-like Lumibear and also be introduced to its predator, the Nightstalker. The video will end with the old man walking away from the camera, presumably on to the next episode.

The audio is a voiceover that sounds like David Attenborough describing the creatures of the alien planet of Nocturne. In the background is ambient forest sounds that I found. The ambience I couldn’t find a way to make using AI so it is clips from a free sound effect site.

The advent of AI in cinema introduces significant opportunities and challenges for both Hollywood and independent artists. AI has the potential to democratize filmmaking, making advanced editing, special effects, and scriptwriting tools accessible to independent creators. This could lead to a broader diversity of stories being told. For Hollywood, AI offers ways to streamline production, enhance visual effects, and tailor content to audiences more effectively, potentially enriching the cinematic experience.

However, the integration of AI also poses risks, including the displacement of traditional jobs and the possibility of AI perpetuating biases found in its training data. There’s a concern about balancing technological efficiencies with preserving artistic integrity and employment. Additionally, the ease of creating content with AI might lead to market saturation, making it harder for unique voices to stand out.

The future of AI in cinema will hinge on navigating these challenges responsibly, ensuring AI tools augment rather than replace human creativity. This will involve ethical AI development, regulation, and dialogue among all stakeholders in the film industry to foster a diverse and dynamic cinematic landscape.

Click here to enter Gothic Groove Machine’s album debut!

I would first write everything i could think of about the planet where the fiction takes place, landscapes and lifeforms. Then describe the society that lives there, who they are, what they are, what they believe. Then try to list everything I think is important about the place, trying to get as much descriptive imagery out onto the screen as I can. Then I would wonder about what would be helpful to people living there, what tools and societal norms would be beneficial.

Once I had a LOT of detail written down I would start to further develop each facet of the world with ChatGPT, deciding what I can about each scale I look at the world in. I would keep all the useful information in a text file and organize it into a ‘world bible’. Then I would feed this into a custom GPT to contain the knowledge of the world so that I can explore it further.

Afterwards I would decide what kind of format would be best used to share this world with other people. Pictures, stories, travel guides, national geographics? Would there be a unique language or alphabet that would need to be made like Tolkien or left ambiguous like the Seraphinianus?

I would like to discover novel societal solutions to living in a fictive world and what sorts of moral dilemmas or ambiguities could be found within.

My inspiration is a space colony on a hostile planet named Nocturne, ChatGPT and I created this week and last. I chose to create creatures that would live on the world that I expanded upon in the worldbuilding assignment. I wanted these creatures to be a mix of modified Earth creatures at first but went a bit crazier with each one. I worked between ChatGPT and Midjourney, using Chat to generate a few examples of alien creatures modeled after my first few creations and used its descriptions to generate them in Midjourney. I found that Midjourney will straight up put in creatures you mention in your descriptions that are like, “cross between a bear and a butterfly” as well as try to make what you describe. So I ended up with glowing butterflies in all the images of my Lumibears. I also discovered Midjourney is very good at making cats, which for once wasn’t helpful since I was trying to make fantastical creatures.

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Nocturne Explored

Era and Setting

This world exists in a distant future, centuries after humanity’s leap into space colonization. The setting is a hostile planet named Nocturne, characterized by its dimly lit environment, a result of the weak sunlight piercing through its thick, cloud-covered skies. The landscape is a blend of hauntingly beautiful dark forests, where trees and plants exhibit shades of deep purples and blues, and rugged terrains illuminated by the eerie glow of fauna with bioluminescent eyes. Lava pools dot the landscape, providing natural light and power sources.

Environment

Nocturne’s climate is temperate but shrouded in perpetual twilight, creating a world where day and night blur into one. The geography is marked by its vast haunted forests, home to mythical monsters and creatures, and vast plains that host the glowing flora and fauna. The planet’s unique feature is its active geothermal activity, providing an abundance of energy but also presenting dangers with sudden geothermal vents and lava flows.

Food and Culture

In this world, cuisine is a celebration of color and flavor, a stark contrast to the dark environment. Dishes are vibrant, incorporating bioluminescent ingredients that glow softly on the dinner table, creating a mesmerizing dining experience. Cultural practices revolve around communal gatherings and celebrations, where stories of ancient Earth and the marvels of Nocturne are shared. Art, music, and dance are highly valued, often incorporating technology to create immersive experiences. Traditional garments are adorned with light-emitting fibers, making fashion a display of light and color.

Economy

The economy operates on a sophisticated barter system, reflective of a society that has transcended traditional monetary needs. Key resources include technological artifacts, art, culinary creations, and experiential services. Knowledge and unique experiences are the most valued commodities, leading to a rich culture of sharing and innovation. The society’s post-scarcity economy allows for a focus on personal fulfillment and communal well-being rather than survival.

Religion and Education

Religious practices are diverse, with many choosing to honor Earth’s ancient religions in personal shrines or communal temples, integrating respect for their ancestral planet with the awe of their new home. Education is highly personalized, leveraging AI to tailor learning experiences to individual interests and abilities. Knowledge and learning are considered sacred, with a strong emphasis on exploring the symbiosis between technology and natural life.

Technology

Technology in this world is both advanced and harmoniously integrated into daily life. AI systems manage safety and infrastructure, protecting inhabitants from the planet’s dangers while ensuring a seamless existence. Holographic interfaces are commonplace, providing interactive signs and educational tools. Biotechnology has advanced to heal injuries and enhance human capabilities, allowing for exploration and interaction with the planet’s unique ecosystems. AI and human councils work together, making decisions through a blend of algorithmic analysis and human empathy.

Uniqueness

The uniqueness of this world lies in its symbiotic relationship between humanity and AI, set against the backdrop of a beautiful yet menacing landscape. The society’s embrace of technology not only for survival but for enhancing the quality of life, cultural expression, and personal growth creates a unique civilization. The constant interaction with the planet’s mysterious creatures and environments fosters a culture of respect for nature, curiosity, and bravery. The blending of ancient Earth traditions with the novel challenges and opportunities of Nocturne encapsulates the spirit of human adaptability and innovation.

On a night not too bright, with the moon peeking slight, young Alex walked home, feeling quite alone. The path once so clear, now seemed weird, as if shadows and light had a mysterious fight. The air was not light, it was tight, with a feeling of eyes, hidden out of sight.

The dark danced with glee, a sight too eerie to see. Trees with fingers so bent, seemed to lament. The wind, it did not send scents of blooms that mend, but of whispers that bend, in tongues old as time, a chilling rhyme. Alex quickened their stride, trying to hide from the fear inside, that slithered and slid, like a forbidden bid.

As further they went, the world seemed bent, lights that should guide, now chose to hide. Shadows grew bold, forming tales untold, not just monsters in bed, but nightmares that spread. These creatures, so stark, laughed in the dark, defying what’s known, in a tone so moan.

In shadows so deep, where light dared not creep, Alex saw, or felt, a horror that dealt. A crack in the seam, like a bad dream, showing a place, with no grace, entities so vast, from ages past, their gaze cast, a hunger so vast.

The cold whispered low, of despair and woe, making Alex feel small, against it all. Yet within their heart, sparked a brave part, knowing these fears, fed on tears. To see them was to feed them, a fact quite grim.

With courage anew, Alex knew what to do, turned their back on the night, set their sights on home’s light. They ran, not glancing back, on the fear-laden track, till home’s warmth they found, a safety unbound.

Back inside, where shadows hide, the night seemed still, but Alex knew the drill. The monsters were there, in the dark lair, waiting for fear, to draw near. But now they knew, through and through, we’re not alone, this truth shown, and the darkness around, is waiting, profound, for its time to abound, in silence profound.

My primary concern revolves around the proliferation of “doomsday” scenarios in art, where our future is dictated by a monotonous and uninspired computer-generated order, leading to a cultural landscape filled with blandness and uniformity. I view AI not as a harbinger of this uninspired future but as a potent tool for creative exploration. Like any tool, AI’s impact is determined by how we use it: it can either contribute to the homogenization of culture, akin to the ubiquitous overuse of selfie filters, or it can democratize creativity, empowering individuals to express themselves without necessitating years of traditional training.

AI has the potential to unlock new realms of creativity, allowing users to articulate their visions and begin to hone their unique creative voices. The key to navigating the intersection of AI and art lies in education. Just as courses on media literacy help students navigate the complexities of misinformation, education about and in the use of AI tools can demystify the technology. This approach not only addresses personal and collective concerns about machine creativity but also promotes an informed understanding of AI’s role in the artistic process.

To counteract the fear of a creativity-stifled future, artists and creators can embrace AI as a collaborator rather than a competitor. By integrating AI tools into their creative process, artists can explore uncharted territories of expression and design, pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms. This collaborative approach highlights AI’s potential to enhance human creativity, showcasing the technology’s ability to augment rather than replace the human touch in art.

My journey as an artist and programmer is deeply rooted in my passion for drawing, indie video games, and the intricate world of programming. This blend of interests shapes my creative identity, driving me to explore and innovate constantly. My love for fiction, especially genres that encompass space and fantasy, heavily influences my creations, allowing me to craft narratives and worlds that are both imaginative and immersive.

I find myself perpetually excited by the evolving landscape of AI tools in creative processes. My stance on the integration of AI in the arts is not just supportive; it’s proactive. I see AI as a groundbreaking tool that can coexist harmoniously with traditional methods of creation, offering new avenues for artistic expression. This belief is not theoretical; it is a practice I actively engage in through my work.

In my endeavors in video game development, I utilize both Unity and Unreal Engine. These platforms empower me to bring my visions to life, providing a canvas where my programming skills and creative ideas converge. My programming, particularly in C#, is significantly enhanced with the help of AI. This collaboration with AI is not just about efficiency; it’s about elevating my work to new heights, ensuring that each line of code is not only functional but also clear and creative.

Creating a custom GPT was a natural step in my journey, a tool that serves as both a creative ally and a technical assistant. It’s instrumental in organizing my programming, ensuring that my code is not only effective but also maintains a high standard of readability and structure. This tool represents the harmonious blend of technology and creativity that I strive for in all my projects.

My artistic pursuits, characterized by a fascination with eldritch monsters, landscapes, and spaceships, are expressed through pencil drawings with pen highlights. These monochromatic pieces are more than just art; they are a reflection of my inner world, a space where my imagination is given free rein. However, the question of ‘what to draw’ often poses a challenge. To address this, I’ve developed an AI-assisted drawing suggestor. This tool, specifically tailored for monster drawing, provides concise, creative prompts that serve as a springboard for my imagination. It also generates concept art, offering a visual starting point that ignites my creative process.

This integration of AI into my workflow is not merely a technical exercise; it’s a fusion of my skills and passions, enabling me to push the boundaries of both art and technology. It allows me to explore uncharted territories in creativity, blending programming, game development, and art into a unique tapestry of innovation. My journey is one of continuous learning and exploration, where each project is an opportunity to blend my love for technology with my artistic vision, creating something truly unique in the process.

I personally am not a big fan of “experimental” art, I feel it is too full of itself. I think most experimental art makes me feel the artist is pretentious. But then, I myself have been using GPT in much the same way when we have been collaborating to create C# code for creating my video games or asking for help rewriting things. I even defend the use of AI in artistic and scholarly uses. Mark Amerika seems to understand that art is not simply a human creation, primates, elephants, crows, and even pufferfish make what I would call art. I simply add our emerging “AI” systems to the list.

Mark explains the process for creating with an AI not simply copy-pasting it but rather, talking with it, having a back and forth with the AI. When I explain how to use an AI to new people I tell them to “talk to it like you’re talking to a child.” Talk with it, correct it, and explain what you want it to do simply. Because even as advanced as it is, it’s still in its infancy.

Learning to collaborate and interact on an equal footing with AI is going to become a very necessary skill as it starts to encroach on every aspect of human life. This intersection of human and artificial creativity raises intriguing questions. How much of the final product is human, and how much is machine? Is the AI merely an advanced tool, or is it stepping into the realm of being a ‘digital muse’? Amerika wants us reconsider the boundaries of authorship and creativity in the digital age.

Nothing necessarily went wrong depending on your world view, humanity as a whole was likely better off under Prometheus. But, if you do not relish life under the guidance of a nearly omniscient AI, then the place the Omega Group went wrong was both not realizing that they were being manipulated and not realizing that they were a break in the boxing.

They were the medium that allowed Prometheus to influence the world in the ways that they were afraid. I am still not sure if the story ends more utopian or dystopian, there was more peace and prosperity for more people but there was less human input in human civilization’s direction. Sure there was less species wide free will but living today there’s still limits to the actions an individual can take, my free will is already limited. We would simply be moving control from governmental humans to a more networked AI. Each has the potential for doom and destruction, so from an individual’s lower viewpoint there may not be much difference.