Hors Piste

Dimitri Daniloff shares everything you (truly) need to know about the digital space. Dimitri Daniloff is an artist, a digital native pioneer, as he started back in 2001 exploring digital art spaces and new techniques, initiating in such way an innovative and visionary dialogue between photography and technologic evolutions such as AI, 3D, photogrammetry, immersive installations&hellip;From multiple collaborations with top worldwide brands (Adidas, Nike&hellip;) to renewed advertising awards (Grand Prix at Cannes Lions, Clios&hellip;) to CEO of his own company Kklone, as well as consultant for leading luxury communication and marketing agencies, Dimitri Daniloff will share a global vision through his precious insights, futuristic analysis and unconventional expertise for FMA HORS PISTE, the new department by FMA Le Bureau, which aim is to drive your company to its best virtual expression. With the deep desire to decode the current issues, whether they&rsquo;re artistic, ethical or philosophical, HORS PISTE is dedicated to brands, agencies and institutions looking to be driven in their digital acculturation process, as well as to be supported in their ambition to imagine tailor-made, creative, strategic and visionary collaborations, where the physical and the digital cross paths, merge or coexist with relevancy and avant-garde.&nbsp; Stay tuned!
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Hors Piste - Digital Artists

# Editorials

#18 : US Copyright Office rules: AI is a tool, not an artist

The US Copyright Office has just partially confirmed the approach I have been defending for months: AI is only a tool, and just as a camera does not make the photographer, a prompt does not make the artist. What matters is the creative approach, the vision, the intention behind the use of the tool.
In its conclusion, the text is unequivocal: "Prompts alone, however, at this stage are unlikely to satisfy those requirements." This position partially makes prompt engineering obsolete and confirms what I wrote in "The Future of AI for Photographers": some images are only the product of prompts reflecting the personality of the machine, while others, the fruit of a more complex approach, truly bear the imprint of their creator.
An interesting aspect of the report is the idea that "the putative author must be able to constrain or channel the program's processing of the source material." These terms "constrain or channel" suggest that limiting, guiding or structuring the action of the algorithm by adding "human" references - such as a drawing or a photo - allows us to get closer to obtaining a form of copyright. This sentence validates the importance of using one's own archives and references as a basis for creation, an approach that I have long advocated and that I discussed in the post "The future of AI for photographers" of May 22, 2024.
However, the text does not yet seem to recognize writing based solely on AI, which raises questions for a new generation of artists developing a unique identity through the tool. It is on this issue that I am currently working with the philosopher Hubert Etienne, by developing a tool that reveals the creative singularity in the use of AI. Consider the analogy of a painter&rsquo;s palette: just as each artist develops their &ldquo;paste&rdquo; through unique blends of colors, the AI ​​artist creates their signature through a specific combination of techniques and approaches that is impossible to reproduce. This &ldquo;digital paste&rdquo; deserves, in my opinion, to be recognized as an authentic creative expression.
This decision marks a decisive turning point for all artists who are developing a thoughtful practice of AI, using it not as a substitute but as an extension of their creativity. This report from the US Copyright Office will therefore probably be my bedside book for the coming months, deserving a thorough study to understand all its subtleties.
Artist : &nbsp;ai.s.a.m (Sam Finn)

# 17 AI: A tool to master, not a substitute for our creativity

AI: A tool to master, not a substitute for our creativity
The debate on generative AI should shift from its potential to replace us to our attitude toward this technology. Are we choosing to be actors or spectators? This distinction is vital, determining whether AI becomes a tool to enhance our intelligence or a substitute that diminishes it.
Contrary to popular belief, AI is not an omniscient entity providing perfect answers or generating flawless content instantaneously. My experience training 27 professionals vividly highlighted the challenges in adapting this tool to the specific needs of each individual. Human expertise remains crucial for achieving relevant results.
Linguistic diversity poses a significant challenge for AI. The research by Shana Kleiner and Prof. Jessi Grieser on African American English (AAL) showcases the current limitations of language models. How can we preserve the richness of our local expressions and &ldquo;street language&rdquo; against an AI driven by uniform linguistic standards? What will be the role of our academicians if our written language is dictated by overseas corporations? These questions raise critical issues of identity, representation, and power in the digital era.
Prof. James K. Wong emphasizes that the values embedded in AI are often defined by a small group without public consensus. This raises concerns about the future of our languages and, consequently, our ways of thinking. Are we not risking an Orwellian uniformity reminiscent of &ldquo;Newspeak&rdquo;?
To tackle these challenges, let&rsquo;s envision the creation of &ldquo;community AI funds.&rdquo; These funds would act as guardians of digital identity, enabling communities and individuals to actively contribute to their representation in AI. Dr. Kevin Mills from MIT reminds us, &ldquo;Users have an interest in technological freedom and should participate in a distributed process rather than having a vision imposed on them.&rdquo; Although this system might have its own biases, it would better align with our expectations and be applicable on various scales, from local to national.
Dr. Wong encourages us to become &ldquo;epistemic actors.&rdquo; This approach proposes a balance between technological progress and the preservation of identity, reaffirming that authenticity and diversity are invaluable, even in the digital realm. By doing so, we honor the richness of human experience while reducing algorithmic biases, fostering a constructive dialogue between technology and cultural diversity.
It is time to rethink our role in the development of AI, not as passive spectators but as engaged actors in shaping our digital future.
Dimitri Daniloff
#AI #LinguisticDiversity #AIethics #CreativeInnovation #DigitalIdentity

# 16 Did you know there's a tool that lets you check if your images have been used to train AIs?

Yes, such a tool exists, and I am delighted to see that my images have indeed been used. I would have been disappointed otherwise. Here&rsquo;s why.
I support the principle of Open Source and accept that my images available on the Internet can be used for AI training. This means I contribute to the creation of powerful tools that surpass our individual capabilities and serve humanity. These tools require vast amounts of data to best represent the human mind and our society. However, I refuse to let my style be freely exploitable by other artists for generating images. This distinction is crucial to protect artistic integrity.
It is important to distinguish between two phases in the AI process: training and inference (the generation of responses). We have surpassed the first training phase, which required a lot of general data from the web. Now, AI must train on high-quality human data to achieve unprecedented excellence in digital content. The recent agreement between OpenAI and Le Monde is a clear example of this.
During training, my photos represent only a tiny fraction among billions of images, making exact reproduction improbable, except in very specific cases I have already mentioned in a previous post.
The inference phase is more complex and requires deep ethical reflection. Unlike humans, AI has no subjectivity or aesthetic desires. It generates works through an algorithmic process, without intrinsic artistic intention. The copyright issue arises when AI is explicitly guided to imitate a particular artist's style.
The HaveIbeenTrained tool, which I presented several months ago at Mazarine, allows artists to check which of their works have been used for AI training and to exercise their right to opt out of future trainings.
Moreover, this quest for quality data could fund fully human research and promote collaborations between ethicists, artists, anthropologists, and others to create human training content, thus maintaining an active role in the orientation of AI. Art remains above all a means of expression and advocacy, concepts foreign to AI.
Ultimately, the integration of AI in the creative field must be guided by deep ethical reflection, ensuring that our technological progress enriches our humanity without diluting it.
Dimitri Daniloff
Link <a href="https://haveibeentrained.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://haveibeentrained.com/</a>

# 15 AI and Artistic Creation

The debate over copyright and the use of artistic works for the training of generative artificial intelligence is more relevant than ever. In the digital age, it is crucial to value and fairly recognize creators, especially as the boundaries between original creation and reproduction by AI become increasingly blurred. Recently, a YouTube tutorial revealed a shocking practice: a Midjourney user openly shared a list of artists whose styles the AI can imitate to create works "in the manner of." This revelation is not just a matter of technology surpassing ethical norms; it reflects a blatant disregard for copyright, verging on cultural "pillage."&nbsp;Yet, it is also clear that generative AI models, such as those developed by OpenAI or Stability AI, necessarily rely on vast datasets that include copyrighted works. As highlighted in a statement by OpenAI to the British Parliament, these data are essential for training AIs that meet current needs. This clearly indicates that any future business model for these technologies must inevitably consider the contributions of original creators. In this context, imagine an approach that harmonizes respect for copyright with the needs of technological innovation: the creation of an integrated marketplace within AI creation platforms. This platform would not only serve as an economic engine for artists but also ensure a source of diverse and ethically sourced data for AI. Similar to "skins" in video games, this marketplace would allow artists to monetize the usage rights to their artistic styles, thus ensuring direct compensation.&nbsp;This initiative proposes a balance between innovation and the preservation of artistic interests, reaffirming the idea that authenticity and originality are invaluable drivers of value, even in the digital age. By this means, we honor the creative spirit while reducing the pitfalls of plagiarism, encouraging a constructive dialogue between technology and human creativity.&nbsp;It is time to rethink copyright not as barriers to innovation but as catalysts for a creative and technological collaboration that enriches. By adopting these practices, we build a future where art and technology mutually reinforce each other, enriching our culture and economy in a respectful and dynamic manner.
Dimitri Daniloff
Photos credits &copy; Dimitri Daniloff&nbsp;

# 14 The future of AI for photographers

Why would a photographer have a significant advantage using AI compared to an AI artist without photographic archives? To date, no court has granted copyright to an AI creation because it is challenging to prove the human creative element. Currently, the copyright on an AI image is granted not for the image itself, but for the modifications made using tools like Photoshop.&nbsp;Consider recent examples in the United States, such as Stephen Thaler and "Theatre D'Opera Spatial," where no copyright was awarded to an AI-generated image. In contrast, in the case of "Zarya of the Dawn," the copyright was accepted by recognizing the originality in the arrangement and selection of elements, even non-original ones, by the author. Many clients still hesitate to use AI due to the ambiguity surrounding intellectual property, fearing future litigation for copyright infringement. This is understandable, especially when many AI artists use predefined "styles" or directly reference existing artists.&nbsp;This use of AI is impossible for professional purposes. However, some clients resort to lawyers to validate the creative process and ensure compliance with copyright laws. Here is where photographers have a decisive advantage: we can use our own images as prompts and references, thus justifying the originality of our creations and our intellectual property. For example, in Midjourney, it is possible to use your own images in addition to textual prompts and/or as a style reference, two complementary techniques.&nbsp;Imagine a photographer with more than 20 years of experience and their archives: it's an unlimited creative world available to them. They can create thousands of new images, explore new directions, and mix ideas separated in time. Although there is not yet full legal recognition, this process is much more defensible in court since the photographer can prove the exclusive use of their own images and references. This argument becomes essential for clients as it proves an ethical use of AI.&nbsp;AI represents an opportunity for photographers. Just like digital photography 20 years ago, AI makes creation more accessible. However, it is crucial to remember that creation does not happen overnight, and a style cannot be easily copied.&nbsp;You will find examples of my photographic work and its natural evolution towards AI, illustrating what I call "the imprint of the author's personality," the very definition of copyright.
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Dimitri Daniloff
Photo credtis &copy; Dimitri Daniloff
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Useful links:&nbsp;
<a href="https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2023/09/us-copyright-office-and-ai-notice-of.html">https://ipkitten.blogspot.com/2023/09/us-copyright-office-and-ai-notice-of.html</a>
<a href="https://wan-avocats.com/intelligence-artificielle-et-droit-dauteur-rejet-par-un-tribunal-americain-dune-demande-de-protection-par-le-copyright-dune-image-generee-par-une-intelligence-artificielle/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://wan-avocats.com/intelligence-artificielle-et-droit-dauteur-rejet-par-un-tribunal-americain-dune-demande-de-protection-par-le-copyright-dune-image-generee-par-une-intelligence-artificielle/</a>
<a href="https://www.village-justice.com/articles/zarya-the-dawn-originalite-des-oeuvres-realisees-avec-intelligence-artificielle,45373.html">https://www.village-justice.com/articles/zarya-the-dawn-originalite-des-oeuvres-realisees-avec-intelligence-artificielle,45373.html</a>
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# 13 AI and the Art of Visual Memory: Exploration with Brodbeck & de Barbuat

This week, I am exploring a phenomenon in AI known as overrepresentation, a concept vividly illustrated by the work of artists Brodbeck &amp; de Barbuat. Through their series "A Parallel History," they redefine iconic moments in the history of photography, playing on our collective memory where the images, while familiar, often elude us regarding their origins.&nbsp;But what is overrepresentation in AI? Far from merely memorizing data, generative AIs, such as neural networks, learn and model the probability distribution of the data. This means they capture the statistical essence of the data rather than the data itself. Imagine, rather than storing each image, these models learn the visual "language" of these images to then create new works.&nbsp;The challenge of overrepresentation arises when certain data dominate the training set of these AIs. The result? A tendency to reproduce images that closely resemble these frequently represented data. This phenomenon can sometimes limit AI creations and raises important questions about creativity, diversity, and even plagiarism.&nbsp;To illustrate this topic, let's examine the captivating work of Brodbeck &amp; de Barbuat in "A Parallel History." This duo of artists explores the interaction between our memory and modern creation tools, generating images through AI from textual data to recreate a fictional history of photography, illuminating the impact of technologies on our visual perception.&nbsp;Their project, consisting of photographs and videos, questions the reliability of our visual memories and how our memory "fills the gaps between what we see and what we think we recognize." The work of Brodbeck &amp; de Barbuat encourages us to reflect on how these AI-generated images, while relying on real references, form a collective memory that is both familiar and strangely altered. In contemplating "A Parallel History," we are led to question what defines authenticity in the digital age. Is the accuracy of an image relative to its original necessary for it to hold value, or does the AI's interpretation enrich our artistic experience with a new dimension? Brodbeck &amp; de Barbuat do not offer simple answers, but rather open a space for contemplation and debate.
- Dimitri Daniloff
&copy; <a href="https://www.brodbeckdebarbuat.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brodbeck &amp; de Barbuat</a>
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# 12 Reinventing beauty : how AI can deconstruct stereotypes

During my high school years, in a burst of youthful rebellion, I wrote about a society where everyone, men and women alike, were devoid of hair. This imagined world aimed to symbolically erase gender disparities in an effort to combat the glaring inequalities that were already evident to my teenage self. This naive vision of a world without conspicuous physical differences resonates today with my inquiries into artificial intelligence and its impact on our perception of beauty.&nbsp;Artificial intelligence, despite its vast promises, also carries the risk of perpetuating and even exacerbating human stereotypes, as highlighted by a recent UNESCO study. In this complex landscape, initiatives like Dove&rsquo;s take on added significance. By firmly committing not to use AI to "create or distort the image of women," Dove reaffirms the importance of aligning technology with the fundamental ethical principles of our society, thus strengthening its historic commitment to authenticity. However, I would like to contrast this stance with a use of AI that I find particularly shocking: the Miss AI contest organized by the World AI Creator Awards in partnership with the Fanvue platform. This competition, by perpetuating sexist stereotypes, not only reinforces an unattainable image of beauty but also exacerbates female discontent. As Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, points out, these new AI applications have the power to subtly shape the perceptions of millions. Even slight sexist biases can therefore significantly amplify inequalities. Conversely, if properly directed, AI could play a transformative role in neutralizing these biases. My intention is not to demonize all AI creations. When well-mastered, this technology offers artists, like @ai_transition, the opportunity to highlight gender diversity. However, it is crucial to remain vigilant and critical of AI uses that may perpetuate inequalities. Vanessa Nurock wisely reminds us: the apparent neutrality of AI can too easily lead us to trust it blindly. Yet, this neutrality can mask AI's capacity to reproduce and amplify our own biases.&nbsp;As a creator, I strive to constantly rethink the use of AI, not only in the artistic field but also in our everyday lives. The real question, therefore, is: how can we use AI to enrich rather than diminish our humanity?
Dimitri Daniloff
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Photos &copy; AI transition
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# 11 Photography VS Reality : Truth is a matter of perception

At the heart of photography lies a persistent paradox: once considered irrefutable proof of reality, it is now, in the era of artificial intelligence, a fertile ground for boundless creativity. This transformation echoes the digital revolution, which had already stirred waves of skepticism among photography purists. The historic image captured by Josef Koudelka during the Prague invasion in 1968 perfectly illustrates this dual role of photography: both as a witness to historical truth and a tool for personal narration. But what remains of this power when the image can be generated, manipulated, or even completely fabricated by algorithms? The development of software like Photoshop initially weakened our trust in the image, stripping it of its role as a faithful witness to facts. Today, AI pushes us even further by transforming the image into a playground where reality is not only reproduced but also redefined. Historically, photographers, like the pictorialists of the early 20th century, struggled to show that photography was not merely mechanical reproduction but an art form in its own right, capable of interpreting the world. This struggle finds a contemporary echo in the debates about the copyright of AI artists, who claim the originality of their generative creations. The digital age, where images become as ephemeral as they are permanent, pushes us to reconsider the authenticity and testimonial value of photography. The ease of manipulation and infinite reproducibility offered by digital technology leads us to question: what is the essence of an image? Is it its originality, its authenticity, or the emotion it arouses in the viewer? The implications of this evolution are vast. AI, by redefining the very concept of image, invites us to reflect on our relationship with visual truth. It offers perspectives where the image is more than the capture of a moment; it becomes a creation that reflects, distorts, or idealizes reality according to the desires of its creator. Rapha&euml;l Enthoven even suggests that sometimes the manipulated image may seem more "real" than reality itself, plunging us into an era where "the false is more desirable than the true." The works of J&aacute;nos D&eacute;ris and their hyper-aestheticizations question this factual reality, making the image an object of desire rather than truth. In this era of unlimited reproducibility, the originality of the work might be less a matter of fidelity to an event than an exploration of what these events mean to us as a society. Perhaps it is time to rethink our relationship with the image, not as a faithful mirror of the world, but as a space for creation and reflection, a fertile ground for dreaming and questioning.
Dimitri Daniloff
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&copy; Josef Koudelka&nbsp;
&copy;J&aacute;nos D&eacute;ris
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# 10 Would You Be My Friend?

Have you ever imagined what your daily life would be like if your best friend were an artificial intelligence? While cooking, I often find myself enjoying the company of Siri, pondering the emotional connection we develop with technology. This reflection reminds me of a touching anecdote: an elderly person confiding to her son how much she appreciated the robotic vacuum cleaner he gave her, not for its primary utility, but for its presence in her daily life. This connection with technology is not just a matter of convenience, but touches something profoundly human. A recent study indicates that faces generated by AI are often perceived as more "human" than real human faces, a paradox revealing of our times. Skeptics, convinced of their ability to distinguish the real from the artificial, are often the most easily deceived. Artificial intelligence, by adjusting its behaviors and responses to our personal evolution, transcends its role as a tool to become a companion who knows us deeply, remembering details that we have forgotten, much like the Limitless pendant. Imagine a world where your best friend is an AI, an e-coach that adapts in real-time to your personal and emotional progress. The idea of personalized AI raises crucial questions about our relationship with technology, as David Le Breton discusses in "L'adieu au corps", where he describes an erosion of the boundaries between the living and technical artifacts, creating a mythology based on a blurring of senses. This integration of man and machine redefines our notions of autonomy and life itself. Similarly, our relationship with the screen, as described by Byung-Chul Han in "In the Swarm", changes our perception of others. "Digital communication is communication poor in gazes... the vanishing of the Other." This alerts us to the loss of real confrontation, where the experience of the Other, essential to our personal and collective development, diminishes in favor of a digital interaction where our gazes never truly meet. Finally, the movie "Her", which explores a romantic relationship between a man and his operating system, highlights the depth of human connections possible in the digital age, while questioning the loneliness and authenticity of these interactions. In a world where technology increasingly infiltrates our personal sphere, how will AI influence our notions of friendship and intimacy? Will we be able to maintain a clear boundary between technological assistance and emotional dependency? It is imperative to continue exploring these questions, to ensure that our progression towards a digital future enriches rather than diminishes our humanity.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Dimitri Daniloff</li>
</ul>
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&copy; Dimitri Daniloff (Photography without AI intervention)
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# 9 Le Monde partners with OpenAI : What to know

This week, I'm examining the agreement between Le Monde and OpenAI, as well as OpenAI's presentation before the British Parliament. These developments highlight the crucial value of synergy between human and artificial intelligence in ensuring the integrity of training data.The essence of this partnership echoes the "Garbage In, Garbage Out" concept, illuminating that the precision of the output is inherently linked to the quality of the input data. This connection underscores the imperative of enriching AI algorithms with verified and precise data provided by human experts to avoid any risk of AI performance degradation.Although controversial, this agreement is structured to position AI as a complement rather than a substitute to editorial teams, thereby affirming the indispensable role of humans in creative content. This principle reiterates that, although AI can transform or eliminate certain roles, emphasis should be placed on non-AI-based strategies to preserve a wide range of options for the future.OpenAI's stance at the British Parliament, which acknowledges the necessity of using copyright-protected content for training current AI models, invites deep reflection on the balance between such data usage and the respect for intellectual property norms, while highlighting the fundamental importance of human contributions to AI evolution.To conclude, this agreement, along with other similar initiatives with Prisa in Spain and Springer in Germany, heralds an era of specialized AIs trained on high-quality human data, aiming for unprecedented excellence in digital content.&nbsp; - Dimitri Daniloff
<a href="https://lnkd.in/epF8cC-M">House of Lords Communications </a> <a title="Le Monde" href="https://lnkd.in/e4_BApFb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Le Monde</a>
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# 8 Photogrammetry : A reflection on memory, art and identity in the era of the virtual

Photogrammetry emerges as a cornerstone in the creation of digital twins, a practice that revolutionizes the way we perceive and interact with the digital world. Today, I wish to introduce you to this technique, which, from mapping terrains of World War I to reconstructing modern haute couture, has continually evolved to impact a multitude of domains. Photogrammetry, NeRF, and Gaussian Splatting allow for the creation of a digital twin from a series of images, a 3D reconstruction of remarkable precision. This process, ancient in concept, has found a revolutionary application with the advancement of computing capabilities, thus offering a new life to objects and environments in the digital world. The artistic applications of photogrammetry are as diverse as they are innovative, from the point cloud that evokes digital poetry in the work of Benjamin Bardou, to the raw representation seen in Carla Gannis's work, not to mention the creation of dreamlike universes by M&eacute;lanie Courtinat. These artistic approaches coexist with more traditional uses, as evidenced by the scan of a haute couture dress by Kklone for Mazarine/Balmain, demonstrating the versatility and immense potential of this technology. The ability to replicate, modify, and manipulate an digitized object infinitely opens up unexplored horizons. For actors, a digital double represents invaluable security, eliminating the risk of injuries during dangerous stunts. For the general public, it means the possibility of preserving precious memories, such as familiar objects or unique moments, accessible at any time, akin to dematerialized music. Imagine a future where our virtual attics become the private museums of our digital lives, archiving our families' past with the same tenderness and nostalgia as the memories kept in our grandmothers' attics. Photogrammetry invites us to consider a digital heritage as rich and tangible as our physical legacies.The infinite reproduction allowed by photogrammetry opens the door to limitless content creation, whether in video or still images. The major appeal lies in interactive 3D objects, particularly in the realms of XR and AR, offering revolutionary applications for e-commerce and virtual try-ons, thus propelling the user experience towards unprecedented dimensions.Photogrammetry is not just a transformative technique bridging the tangible to the digital; it is at the heart of a silent revolution that is reshaping our way of interacting and conceiving reality in the digital space. Beyond its capacity to immortalize and manipulate our environment at will, this technology invites us to a deeper reflection on memory, art, and identity in the era of the virtual. By making the past accessible and shaping the future of our cultural and personal heritage, photogrammetry pushes us to redefine the boundaries of our digital legacy.
- Dimitri Daniloff
&copy;Kklone X for Mazarine &amp; Balmain&nbsp; &copy;Benjamin Bardou&nbsp; &copy;Carla Gannis&nbsp; &copy;Dimitri Daniloff
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# 7 Luna Ikuta : Artist and Designer

We are thrilled to have Luna Ikuta in Paris this week, an artist who pushes the boundaries between visual and sensory experiences. Her recent engagement in a high-profile project with an international pop artist during her worldwide tour, where her enchanting visuals captivated audiences at a major concert, serves as a landmark in her career, showcasing the boundless possibilities of artistic expression. Luna recalls, "That was the most surreal moment ever," underscoring the significant effect of witnessing her artwork embraced on such a vast scale. According to her, this moment was a powerful affirmation that "not everything is impossible," transforming her individual studio efforts into a spectacle celebrated worldwide.
Luna's ambition to create immersive, large-scale projects is driven by her passion for merging music and visual art in a cohesive, experiential format. Her desire to explore this synergy further, aspiring to create her own music-infused visual exhibitions. Luna&rsquo;s approach to art is deeply rooted in altering perceptions through scale, transforming mundane elements into monumental experiences that challenge and redefine viewer engagement. &nbsp;Her upcoming project in Barcelona, alongside her exploration into new avenues such as sound, scent, and atmospheric visuals, illustrates her commitment to enhancing how art is perceived and experienced. Luna seeks not just to create beauty but to evoke a lasting, memorable impact, delving into the realms of multisensory stimulation to communicate deeper narratives and evoke emotional responses. &nbsp;Fascinated by the concept of memory and the transient nature of life and experiences, Luna ventures into the world of scents. She aims to encapsulate complex themes of existence, reflection, and evolution through olfactory elements, thereby enriching the visual and tactile components of her art. This holistic approach, aiming to engage all the senses, is a testament to her innovative spirit and dedication to creating art that resonates on multiple levels. &nbsp;Luna Ikuta&rsquo;s work is a profound exploration of human connection, universality of emotions, and the shared experiences that bind us, regardless of our origins. Her ability to weave intricate stories through not only visuals but also through scent and sound, invites audiences into a world where art becomes an all-encompassing sensory journey. Through her visionary projects, Luna continues to challenge the conventions of art and experience, making her an invaluable collaborator for those seeking to push the boundaries of creativity and immersive storytelling. Her work not only captivates but also deeply moves, leaving an indelible mark on the art world and beyond.
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Luna Ikuta interviewed by Dimitri Daniloff / March 6th 2024

# 6 Mistral AI : What to expect from Le Chat

At a time when artificial intelligence is infiltrating every aspect of our lives, it's crucial to make technological advancements accessible and understandable to all. This is why I am excited to introduce Le Chat, the new French conversational agent from Mistral AI, recently announced on their official site. A direct competitor to ChatGPT, I have tested it over the past few days and am thrilled to share my enthusiasm with you! &nbsp;This conversational assistant stands out for its mastery of the nuances of the French language, making it particularly suited for Francophone users. But that's not all! Mistral Large also distinguishes itself by its understanding of European languages, as it fluently speaks French, Spanish, Italian, German, and English. &nbsp;Concerned with the protection of personal data and the confidentiality of exchanges, the French company has placed these issues at the heart of its concerns. Le Chat has thus been designed with these major aspects in mind in the field of AI. &nbsp;Regarding biases, Mistral AI's creator, Arthur Mensch, admits that it's impossible to eliminate them completely. However, Mistral AI's goal is to allow users to choose their own biases, thus offering a different approach from that of their American competitors. &nbsp;It is essential to develop ethical and responsible AI technologies that respect users' privacy while meeting their needs and expectations. It is with this in mind that Mistral AI designed Le Chat, emphasizing the protection of personal data and the transparency of exchanges. By promoting European AI, we contribute to preserving our technological sovereignty and enriching the synergy between AI and humans. &nbsp;n conclusion, Le Chat from Mistral AI is a major innovation in the field of AI made in France, offering exciting prospects for the future of human-machine communication. However, it is important to remain vigilant about the ethical and social issues related to the use of these technologies, and to develop responsible solutions that respect the privacy of users.&nbsp;
#AI #MistralAI #LeChat #Innovation #ResponsibleAI #EuropeanSovereignty #DigitalTransformation
- Dimitri Daniloff

In my exploration of the digital universe, I have always been fascinated by the way we can redefine ourselves through the avatars we choose to embody. The Proteus effect, named after the Greek god capable of changing his form at will, describes how our digital identities can profoundly influence our behavior in the real world. This reflection finds a particular resonance in the words of Oscar Wilde: "Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth." Through this adage, I have observed the power of anonymity and the digital mask to reveal our most intimate truths, asserting that both our virtual and real identities are authentic and true.&nbsp;It seems important to me to recall the impact of our avatar choices on our behavior in virtual spaces. These avatars, or digital masks, offer us the freedom to experiment with aspects of our personality that we might not have explored otherwise. This transformation goes well beyond entertainment; it touches on education, training, and personal development, where virtual spaces become valuable tools for cultivating empathy and mutual understanding.&nbsp;The relevance of the Proteus effect in combating discrimination, sexism, and harassment at work is particularly significant. By allowing individuals to put themselves in someone else's shoes, virtual reality opens new perspectives for understanding the challenges others face, thus promoting a more inclusive and respectful work environment.&nbsp;However, this exploration of self in the digital realm also invites me to introspect about the limits between authentic expression and the possibility of dissociation. Where does the boundary between our real self and our virtual self lie? How do we navigate these digital spaces while staying anchored in our values and integrity?&nbsp;The Proteus effect, through the prism of my personal and professional experience, underscores the importance of remaining aware of the influence of our avatars on our reality. It reminds us that behind each avatar choice, there is an opportunity to explore our identity, discover new facets of our personality, and ultimately, transform ourselves. By embracing this dynamic, we can use technology not only to redefine ourselves but also to enrich our social and professional interactions, echoing the truth that Wilde so elegantly articulated.
#EffetProteus #Digitalidentity #InnovationTechnologique #DigitalTransformation
<ul>
<li>Dimitri Daniloff</li>
<li>&copy; Harriet Davey</li>
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# 4 The collaboration we love : Lacoste X Samy La Crapule

This week we love the new project by @lacrapulestudio for @lacoste: "Are you ready to explore new playgrounds?" A question that invites the discovery of unexplored territories where digital art and fashion meet.&nbsp;Lacoste, already well anchored in the 3D universe thanks to its presence in the Web3 ecosystem with the UNDW3 project and its virtual gallery created by Emperia, is joining forces with Samy La Crapule, a visionary artist whom we have followed with admiration since 2019. Samy stood out for his creation "Hermes Girl", one of the first works to subvert the codes of luxury in favor of a 3D aesthetic inspired by gaming.&nbsp;Samy La Crapule, artist, designer and director based in Paris, explores the digital image in all its forms to augment and embellish reality. His work, presented during a temporary exhibition at Ground Effect, questions representations of humans through artificial intelligence, 3D and virtual reality, opening the doors to a world on the border of reality.&nbsp;This collaboration between Samy La Crapule and Lacoste promises to push the boundaries of digital creation, merging the artist's unique visual identity with the heritage and innovation of the crocodile brand. Together, they explore new playing fields, where beauty, identity and technology become the key points of an unprecedented creative adventure.
- Dimitri Daniloff

What if in 2 years from now 90% of the internet content was generated by Artificial Intelligence? Only one year later, Artificial Intelligence is already starting to self-train, as ChatGPT does by training on Wikipedia &ndash; itself nourished by AI. Considering this phenomenon creating a potentially toxic self-feeding cycle, it seems crucial to me to mention the principle of Garbage In/Garbage Out which reminds us that the quality of the output data from a system is directly linked to the quality of the input data. This situation raises an interesting question: if an AI trains itself with its own creations, can we expect new artistic movements resulting from it, or do we risk a kind of degeneration, or even another 'AI winter' ? The human creative process still stands out clearly : it is defined by basics such as freedom, finitude and the ability to navigate the unknown. According to Marcel Duchamp, artists act like a medium, guided by intuition more than by a full and complete aesthetic consciousness. On the contrary, AI, with its simplified and predictable approach, struggles to emulate this depth of innovation and surprise.&nbsp; Can we then imagine an AI capable of surprising or rebelling against its own algorithms? It seems to me essential and urgent to preserve a place for non-AI creation, in order to protect the human one, but also to extend the synergy between AI and humans. Human creativity, driven by an innate understanding of the sense of vague and lack, goes beyond any algorithms' limits by offering an inexhaustible source of innovation. Hartmut Rosa and Edgar Morin remind us of the importance of balance and complexity when it comes to technological acceleration and algorithmic simplification. History shows us a cultural resistance to new technologies, highlighting the dangers of losing our "human measure". In this era of rapid innovation, #ResponsibleIA, #HumanCreativity, and #SustainableInnovation must guide our integration of AI.&nbsp; As &Eacute;ric Sadin points out, our unique and free relation with language and creation, sharply contrasts with the standardized approach that has AI.I am not seeking to speculate or predict anything, but to encourage a reflection on how to promote a human-AI interdependence and interdisciplinarity, to maintain a long-term constant enrichment of the AI . We will then be able to avoid the impoverishment of creativity and ensure a future where innovation is both technologically advanced and deeply human.&nbsp;
- Dimitri Daniloff
&nbsp;&copy; Joris Bacquet
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#ArtificialIntelligence #ArtAndAI
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# 1 The rise of AI wearables: a fusion of technology and intuition

As an artist and technophile, I am fascinated by the rise of AI wearables, these innovative small objects that integrate AI, such as Humane's 'Ai Pin', the Rewind pendant, Ray-Ban Meta glasses, and the Rabbit R1. Far from being mere gadgets, they herald the dawn of a new era where technology intertwines with our intuition, redefining our interaction with the digital world and our perception of space and body. We are witnessing a fundamental change, a metamorphosis of cyberspace, which, in the words of Jameson, becomes a "supplement of spatiality," freed from its physical constraints and transforming into a sea of pure information.&nbsp;These advancements raise crucial questions. With the ability of these devices to record and analyze our verbal interactions and beyond, we face a fundamental dilemma between convenience and privacy.&nbsp;Where do we draw the line between what is useful and what becomes intrusive?&nbsp;This essential question drives me, in my artistic and technical journey, to reflect on the redefinition of our ethical and social norms in a digitized world.&nbsp;These wearables symbolize a transition to a space dominated by the immaterial, thus freeing our interactions from physical limitations. They embody McKenna's idea that "our destiny is to become what we think, to see our thoughts become bodies and our bodies become thoughts," reflecting a future where being outside of space and time enriches our human experience rather than diminishing it.&nbsp;Observing these AI wearables, I notice the emergence of a new dynamic in our relationship with technology. The integration of AI eliminates frictions and simplifies our interactions, making these objects with their minimalist and sleek design much more than mere gadgets. They represent a significant advance towards a future where our interactions with our environment will be completely rethought. This transition invites us to consider a gradual reduction in our dependence on smartphones, promising a more harmonious and respectful integration of technology in our daily lives. However, it also raises essential ethical questions regarding the creation of digital doubles and the management of personal data, issues that must be addressed with caution and responsibility. In conclusion, these technological advances are not just an evolution; they are an invitation to reimagine our everyday life, where AI becomes a natural extension of our existence. And as Bjork rightly points out, "you can&rsquo;t blame the computer if there is not soul in (electronic) music, it&rsquo;s because nobody put it there." Therefore, it's up to us to breathe soul into these objects and new forms of interaction. It's an exciting opportunity to redefine our interaction with the world, where the boundaries between the physical and the digital blur, opening the door to unprecedented possibilities while respecting our private space and autonomy.
- Dimitri Daniloff

Dimitri Daniloff shares everything you (truly) need to know about the digital space. He is an artist, a digital native pioneer, as he started back in 2001 exploring digital art spaces and new techniques, initiating in such way an innovative and visionary dialogue between photography and technologic evolutions such as AI, 3D, photogrammetry, immersive installations&hellip;

# Editorials

Hors Piste - Digital Artists

#18 : US Copyright Office rules: AI is a tool, not an artist

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# 17 AI: A tool to master, not a substitute for our creativity

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# 16 Did you know there's a tool that lets you check if your images have been used to train AIs?

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# 15 AI and Artistic Creation

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# 14 The future of AI for photographers

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# 13 AI and the Art of Visual Memory: Exploration with Brodbeck & de Barbuat

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# 12 Reinventing beauty : how AI can deconstruct stereotypes

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# 11 Photography VS Reality : Truth is a matter of perception

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# 10 Would You Be My Friend?

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# 9 Le Monde partners with OpenAI : What to know

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# 8 Photogrammetry : A reflection on memory, art and identity in the era of the virtual

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# 7 Luna Ikuta : Artist and Designer

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# 6 Mistral AI : What to expect from Le Chat

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# 5 Proteus Effect: When Our Avatars Redefine Our Reality / © Harriet Davey

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# 4 The collaboration we love : Lacoste X Samy La Crapule

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# 3 Reinventing AI: Towards a successful collaboration with Humans / © Joris Bacquet

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# 2 AI Weekly Curation / © Simon Lavi

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# 1 The rise of AI wearables: a fusion of technology and intuition

Hors Piste