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Seminar on "Reshaping Human Understanding of Creativity in the Era of Generative AI" by Prof. Steven Tanimoto of University of Washington

This is our great pleasure to invite you to the seminar of. Prof. Steven TANIMOTO described below. All are welcome.

Title:

Reshaping Human Understanding of Creativity in the Era of Generative AI

Abstract:

The performance of generative artificial intelligence systems such as ChatGPT and Midjourney suggests that computers can approach or exceed human levels of creativity. Naturally this raises concerns among artists and other creatives, whether professional or amateur. It also challenges the assumption of many people that creativity is one of the abilities that distinguish humans from animals and humans from computers. In the first part of this talk, traditional theories of creativity are examined and explained in terms of computational models. These theories come from Margaret Boden, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Arthur Koestler, and others. In the second part of the talk, the impact of large language models and generative algorithms on human creative processes is examined, with an eye towards future practices. It will be increasingly important for humans to understand notions and processes of creativity, and a web-based game will be presented that can serve as a first step towards teaching students about the theory of creativity. Ultimately, the human creative experiences with computers will evolve in a variety of directions. Suggestions will be given for humans to cope with the changes.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Steven Tanimoto, Professor at University of Washington

Dr. Steven Tanimoto's past research focused on parallel architectures and algorithms for image processing, and he served as the editor-in-chief of the IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence, helping to build it into the leading journal in its field. Later, as the PI of an NSF project entitled Mathematics Experiences Through Image Processing, he oversaw the development of software that included the original Pixel Calculator application that led eventually to the development of PixelMath2015, an integrated environment for exploring image processing with formulas and Python programs (aimed at high-school and college students). This culminated in the textbook, An Interdisciplinary Introduction to Image Processing: Pixels, Numbers, and Programs, being published by MIT Press in 2012. In recent years, as part of the NIH-funded Center for Defining and Treating Specific Learning Disabilities in Written Language, Dr. Tanimoto supervised the design and deployment of "HAWK," an online platform for delivering reading, writing, and coding lessons to children with reading difficulties. He served as program co-chair for VL/HCC 2020 in Dunedin, NZ. His current activity involves characterizing creativity in the age of large language models.