STARS - ELO (Un)linked 2024: AI Wordsworth: Artificial Intelligence and the Literary Encounter
Algorithms & Imaginaries Submission Type Paper Start Date/Time (EDT) 19-7-2024 10:30 AM End Date/Time (EDT) 19-7-2024 11:30 AM Location Algorithms & Imaginaries Abstract Visitors to Wordsworth Grasmere, a museum opened in the UK’s lake district in the 1930s to celebrate William Wordsworth, were invited to have a spoken conversation with an AI generated visual and audio version of the poet, based on an 1804 portrait and developed by award-winning software developers Rocketmakers. ‘AI Wordsworth’ uses natural language processing to generate human-like spoken responses to each visitor’s questions, building on several large language models. Each visitor was able to experience a unique conversation with the poet and ask questions about his life and work or anything else they chose. The aim of project, a collaboration with Bath Spa University, was to help museums and other cultural organisations use AI technologies in a positive and constructive manner for visitor engagement and it offered an opportunity for researchers to explore the potential for the use of AI with museum archives and literary datasets to create a unique co-created literary encounter. This presentation explores this AI visitor experience and examines its creative potential and the ethical issues it raises for public encounters with creative AI. It celebrates new horizons for generative computational creativity and interaction and highlights potential pitfalls. COinS Jul 19th, 10:30 AM Jul 19th, 11:30 AM Algorithms & Imaginaries Visitors to Wordsworth Grasmere, a museum opened in the UK’s lake district in the 1930s to celebrate William Wordsworth, were invited to have a spoken conversation with an AI generated visual and audio version of the poet, based on an 1804 portrait and developed by award-winning software developers Rocketmakers. ‘AI Wordsworth’ uses natural language processing to generate human-like spoken responses to each visitor’s questions, building on several large language models. Each visitor was able to experience a unique conversation with the poet and ask questions about his life and work or anything else they chose. The aim of project, a collaboration with Bath Spa University, was to help museums and other cultural organisations use AI technologies in a positive and constructive manner for visitor engagement and it offered an opportunity for researchers to explore the potential for the use of AI with museum archives and literary datasets to create a unique co-created literary encounter. This presentation explores this AI visitor experience and examines its creative potential and the ethical issues it raises for public encounters with creative AI. It celebrates new horizons for generative computational creativity and interaction and highlights potential pitfalls. Accessibility Statement This item was created or digitized prior to April 24, 2027, or is a reproduction of legacy media created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the University Libraries provides accessible versions of archival materials upon request. To request an accommodation for this item, please submit an accessibility request form.