course
description

In the first half of this course, students will be  introduced to the field of machine learning as a subject for artistic  practice and interdisciplinary research. In Week 1, students will learn  how to program self-adapting instruments for real-time musical and  visual expression, using Wekinator along with a suite of real-time  software applications from ml4a.        

In Week 2, we will switch focus onto deep  generative models, a class of algorithms for visual, sound, and  text-based synthesis. We will use various libraries made by deep  learning researchers, and learn how to connect their outputs to the  instruments we built in Week 1. Additionally, we will also give a  practical and conceptual understanding of machine learning theory,  explaining, analyzing, and dissecting simple and deep neural networks.       

The goal of the second half of the course will be  for the whole class and the instructors to collaborate on a single,  unified, large-scale, audiovisual interactive installation to be

exhibited on the final day of the course: what we call it an “autonomous  generative spirit.”        

Towards that end, Week 3 will mainly focus on  individual and small-team group work to begin creating the components of  the spirit, interspersed by optional tutorials as needed, with the  instructors working closely with the students to help them iterate  through their ideas. 

During week 4, the entire class will collaborate  to integrate their ideas into a single installation, with the  instructors paying close attention to overall architecture and helping  each participant adapt their work for the spirit.       

We'll examine the ethical and sociocultural  dimensions of machine learning, and discuss the coming issues which are  sure to be preceded by the ever-increasing integration of these thinking  machines into our daily lives.

course outline

Week 1: Supervised machine learning from a real-time interaction design perspective.

Week 2: Deep learning, generative models for real-time generative media.

Week 3: Special topics, selected tutorials, individual and small group projects.

Week 4: More group work, creation and exhibition of the autonomous generative spirit.

who is this
class for?

This course is aimed at people working in creative disciplines who wish to learn about machine intelligence and how to apply it in their own fields. It is *not* aimed at scientists or engineers who are seeking a rigorous technical course on machine learning -- plenty of such classes already exist. Instead, no specialized knowledge of mathematics or computer science is assumed or expected of students, and we will build up our understanding of the subject from elementary building blocks, imagination, analogy, and metaphor. This course is more practical than it is theoretical; we are interested less in proving theorems and equations, and more into hacking existing tools for making machines that do interesting things. Additionally, this program will emphasize group work and collaboration. People of diverse backgrounds and interests will all find something to take away from this class. If you are a journalist interested in the socioeconomic ramifications of increased automation, a musician wanting to manipulate your instruments with data streams, a designer wishing to imbue your craft with machine artifacts, or you’re just plain old fascinated by the age-old philosophical dilemma of cognition, this class is for you.