Meta Collaborates with Artists for Paris AI Action Summit

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a cornerstone of modern technology, holding immense potential to boost creativity, innovation, and global expression. Recognizing this potential, a significant event, the AI Summit Cultural Weekend, was organized by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in France. This event aimed to showcase how AI can drive cultural advancements and creative endeavors.

In collaboration with several esteemed organizations, including the Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BnF), Fisheye Immersive, Convergence, and Institut Montaigne, two innovative AI-generated art installations were commissioned and presented. These installations, crafted by pioneering artists Ruben Fro and Benjamin Bardou, exemplify the use of open-source AI as a novel medium and a powerful tool for creativity.

### “Deep Diving” by Ruben Fro

Ruben Fro, a Tokyo-based visual effects artist, teamed up with Mehdi Mejri, an immersive art director at Fisheye, to create an audiovisual masterpiece titled “Deep Diving.” This artwork was constructed using Meta’s open-source models, including the Segment Anything Model (SAM) 2. The piece ingeniously visualizes the intricate workings of the BnF’s unique book and document delivery system, offering a mesmerizing glimpse into its operations.

The film was projected onto one of the library towers and displayed both inside the BnF and outside on an LED screen. This captivating art piece was scheduled to be exhibited for a week in celebration of the AI Action Summit, attracting art enthusiasts and technology aficionados alike.

In an exciting development, SAM 2.1, the model underpinning “Deep Diving,” is now available on Amazon SageMaker JumpStart. This makes it incredibly easy to deploy SAM 2.1 and incorporate it into new applications and workflows, particularly for video segmentation tasks. Amazon SageMaker has been a crucial partner in training these models, and the collaboration continues to bring the capabilities of SAM 2.1 to a wider audience.

### AI-Generated Memories by Benjamin Bardou

Benjamin Bardou, a French visual artist and filmmaker, embarked on a fascinating exploration of AI-generated “memories.” These creations were inspired by the works of Edgar Degas, including notable paintings and oil pastels, reflecting on the evolution of art history from past to future. The pieces made their debut at NEO 612, an immersive event that ingeniously blended technology and art, hosted by Convergence and Institut Montaigne. Following this, the artworks were scheduled to be showcased at the Musée des Arts et Métiers.

These projects highlight the promising future of open-source AI in creative expression. They serve as a potent and accessible digital addition to the creative toolkits available to today’s artists and creators. For those interested in delving deeper into these projects, full interviews with the artists are available on the AI at Meta blog.

### Understanding the Technology Behind the Art

To understand the significance of these projects, it’s essential to grasp the technology that made them possible. Open-source AI models like SAM 2.1 offer a flexible and powerful framework for artists and developers. These models are freely available, meaning anyone with the requisite skills can access and utilize them to create innovative applications. This democratization of technology empowers artists to experiment and push boundaries without the constraints of proprietary software.

The Segment Anything Model (SAM) is a particularly interesting tool as it allows users to identify and segment different parts of a video or image with remarkable precision. This capability is incredibly valuable in the field of art, where visual elements play a crucial role in conveying meaning and emotion. By using SAM 2.1, artists can manipulate and enhance their visual creations in ways that were previously unattainable, opening new avenues for artistic expression.

### The Role of AI in Art and Culture

The integration of AI into art and culture is not just about creating visually stunning pieces. It represents a broader shift towards incorporating technology into the cultural landscape, encouraging innovation and dialogue between different fields. These projects demonstrate how AI can serve as a bridge between technology and the arts, fostering a collaborative environment where new ideas can flourish.

By embracing AI, artists like Ruben Fro and Benjamin Bardou are not only expanding their creative horizons but also challenging traditional notions of art and its creation. AI-generated art prompts viewers to reconsider the role of the artist, the process of creation, and the impact of technology on artistic expression.

### A New Era of Creative Possibilities

As AI continues to evolve, its applications in art and culture are likely to expand even further. Artists will have access to increasingly sophisticated tools that allow for greater experimentation and creativity. This evolution presents exciting opportunities for collaboration between artists, technologists, and cultural institutions, paving the way for groundbreaking projects that could redefine the boundaries of art.

Furthermore, the open-source nature of these AI models ensures that the benefits of this technology are not limited to a select few but are accessible to a global community of creators. This inclusivity is crucial for fostering a diverse and vibrant artistic ecosystem that reflects a wide range of perspectives and ideas.

### Conclusion

The AI Summit Cultural Weekend, with its focus on AI-generated art installations, underscores the transformative potential of technology in the cultural sector. By collaborating with renowned institutions and leveraging open-source AI models, artists like Ruben Fro and Benjamin Bardou are pushing the limits of what is possible in art today. These projects not only celebrate the intersection of art and technology but also inspire a new generation of creators to explore the endless possibilities offered by AI.

For more insights into these projects and the artists behind them, readers are encouraged to explore the AI at Meta blog. Here, they can find comprehensive interviews and discussions about the creative process, the technology involved, and the future of AI in art and culture.
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