Researcher Alix Rübsaam on Artificial Intelligence and What It Means for Artists
07/30/23 • 55 min
On today’s episode of Creative Space, we have the pleasure of chatting with Alix Rübsaam. She is a researcher in the philosophy of technology and the Head of Curriculum and Expertise at Singularity. Currently based in Amsterdam, she investigates the societal and cultural impact of exponential technologies, including something that’s on the mind of a lot of people right now—artificial intelligence or AI.
We cover so much ground in this episode, including that AI as a concept is nothing new. From Descartes comparing the human body to clockwork to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the “spark of life” from electricity, we have a tendency as human beings to view ourselves in relation to the most ubiquitous technology of the time. These days, that view is computational.
Alix gives us the lowdown on this latest “AI summer”—when it began, when AI first became a buzzword, and whether or not artists and makers should be fearful of the new technology.
We also talk about where AI gets its data from and the bias that can occur, which she believes is the greatest challenge in the AI space right now.
A few books mentioned in this episode:
Frankenstein—Mary Shelley
Necromancer—Gordon R. Dickson
Snow Crash—Neal Stephenson
Player Piano—Kurt Vonnegut
For more on Alix, visit: su.org/experts/alix-rubsaam.
To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.
To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.
SHOW NOTES:
0:00—Introduction
2:11—Growing up in Amsterdam
6:56—From science fiction fan to AI thought leader
9:17—The influence science fiction has had on technology
17:12—AI summers and AI winters
18:56—How technology shapes how we view ourselves
24:17—Alix’s definition of creativity
28:28—What a typical day is like for Alix
30:56—Where does AI get its data?
33:00—The problem with bias and AI
37:30—What’s the purpose of AI-generated art?
38:25—The automation of creativity
44:23—AIix’s biggest hopes for AI, creativity and representation
52:25—What’s next for Alix
On today’s episode of Creative Space, we have the pleasure of chatting with Alix Rübsaam. She is a researcher in the philosophy of technology and the Head of Curriculum and Expertise at Singularity. Currently based in Amsterdam, she investigates the societal and cultural impact of exponential technologies, including something that’s on the mind of a lot of people right now—artificial intelligence or AI.
We cover so much ground in this episode, including that AI as a concept is nothing new. From Descartes comparing the human body to clockwork to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the “spark of life” from electricity, we have a tendency as human beings to view ourselves in relation to the most ubiquitous technology of the time. These days, that view is computational.
Alix gives us the lowdown on this latest “AI summer”—when it began, when AI first became a buzzword, and whether or not artists and makers should be fearful of the new technology.
We also talk about where AI gets its data from and the bias that can occur, which she believes is the greatest challenge in the AI space right now.
A few books mentioned in this episode:
Frankenstein—Mary Shelley
Necromancer—Gordon R. Dickson
Snow Crash—Neal Stephenson
Player Piano—Kurt Vonnegut
For more on Alix, visit: su.org/experts/alix-rubsaam.
To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.
To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.
SHOW NOTES:
0:00—Introduction
2:11—Growing up in Amsterdam
6:56—From science fiction fan to AI thought leader
9:17—The influence science fiction has had on technology
17:12—AI summers and AI winters
18:56—How technology shapes how we view ourselves
24:17—Alix’s definition of creativity
28:28—What a typical day is like for Alix
30:56—Where does AI get its data?
33:00—The problem with bias and AI
37:30—What’s the purpose of AI-generated art?
38:25—The automation of creativity
44:23—AIix’s biggest hopes for AI, creativity and representation
52:25—What’s next for Alix
Previous Episode
How Too Much Freedom Can Be a Bad Thing In the Creative Process
Given this is Independence Day weekend, the subject of freedom has been on my mind, and since this is Creative Space, I wanted to talk about freedom within the context of creativity and being an artist.
The big idea? I think too much freedom can be a bad thing in the creative process.
Listen to the episode to find out why and let me know your thoughts.
You can reach out to me on social @jenniferlogue or visit my website at: jenniferlogue.com.
If you like the podcast, be sure to show your support by leaving a review wherever you get your podcasts.
SHOW NOTES:
0:00—Introduction
0:57—The excuses we make
01:37—Total freedom is not required to be creative
03:31—5 reasons too much freedom can be a bad thing for a creative
Next Episode
Entrepreneur Jonathan Sposato On the Alchemy of Creativity
On today’s episode of Creative Space, we have the pleasure of chatting with Jonathan Sposato, a renowned entrepreneur with an impressive track record in the tech and publishing industries. He’s the co-founder of Geekwire, CEO of PicMonkey, owner of Seattle Magazine, as well as the founder and acting editor-in-chief of JoySauce, Jonathan’s latest project that aims to increase American Asian representation in popular culture.
Sposato shares his unique approach to creativity, which involves merging unlikely elements to create something extraordinary. He emphasizes the importance of learning from our mistakes, the exhilarating baptism by fire that comes with starting a company, and the balance between humility and confidence. Drawing from his experiences working with Bill Gates, he provides valuable insights into the art of balancing confidence and humility and finding fulfillment in creativity.
For more information on JoySauce, visit: joysauce.com. To sign up for the weekly Creative Space newsletter, visit: eepurl.com/h8SJ9b.
To become a patron of the Creative Space Podcast, visit: bit.ly/3ECD2Kr.
SHOW NOTES:
0:00—Introduction
2:17—”I always wanted to do multiple things.”
4:39—The alchemy of creativity
9:38—The freedom in his formative years
11:50—”It’s only by doing that you figure it out.”
12:40—Getting inspired by Star Trek
19:40—Growing up feeling less than
24:16—The meritocracy of the early tech industry
28:35—His studies at Whitman College
31:22—Becoming an entrepreneur at 21
35:00—The move to Microsoft and working with Bill Gates
42:00—Jonathan’s definition of creativity
47:14—Balancing multiple projects
49:00—The dangers of FOMO
55:00—Digging into JoySauce
1:10:00—Technology and AI
1:16:00—What’s next for Jonathan
Creative Space with Jennifer Logue - Researcher Alix Rübsaam on Artificial Intelligence and What It Means for Artists
Transcript
Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of creative space, a Podcast where we explore, learn and grow and creativity together. I'm your host Jennifer Logue. And today we have the absolute pleasure of chatting with Alex rube, som. She is a researcher in philosophy of technology, and the head of curriculum and expertise at Singularity. she investigates the societal and cultural impact of exponential technologies, including something that
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