The Artist in the Machine, Arthur I. Miller
The Artist in the Machine, Arthur I. Miller
List: $24.99 | Sale: $17.50
Club: $12.49

The Artist in the Machine
The World of AI-Powered Creativity

Author: Arthur I. Miller

Narrator: Adam Lofbomm

Unabridged: 10 hr 9 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Ascent Audio

Published: 01/21/2020


Synopsis

Today's computers are composing music that sounds "more Bach than Bach," turning photographs into paintings in the style of Van Gogh's Starry Night, and even writing screenplays. But are computers truly creative—or are they merely tools to be used by musicians, artists, and writers?

Miller, an authority on creativity, identifies the key factors essential to the creative process, from "the need for introspection" to "the ability to discover the key problem." He talks to people on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, encountering computers that mimic the brain and machines that have defeated champions in chess, Jeopardy!, and Go. In the central part of the book, Miller explores the riches of computer-created art, introducing us to artists and computer scientists who have, among much else, unleashed an artificial neural network to create a nightmarish, multi-eyed dog-cat; taught AI to imagine; developed a robot that paints; created algorithms for poetry; and produced the world's first computer-composed musical.

But, Miller writes, in order to be truly creative, machines will need to step into the world. He probes the nature of consciousness and speaks to researchers trying to develop emotions and consciousness in computers. Miller argues that computers can already be as creative as humans—and someday will surpass us.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Emre on September 21, 2021

As a sort of compilation of the state-of-the-art in artificial intelligence based creativity in music, literature, theater, humor, painting, graphics and animation, I can easily award this book five stars. It not only does a very decent job of describing the various interesting artificial intelligen......more

Goodreads review by Humphrey on January 30, 2020

Here is the most refreshing and lucid examination of artificial intelligence where most focus so far has been dystopian, in rigging elections or gaining battlefield supremacy. In a highly readable account, Arthur I Miller, turns his forensic eye to the upside of the artist robot. He explains how cre......more

Goodreads review by Miles on December 16, 2019

Although Miller provides a practical, readable, and intelligent account of the history, current state, and potential future of machine creativity, he fails to fulfill the expectations he establishes in the introductory chapters. Rather than illuminating a landscape that is transforming creativity as......more

Goodreads review by Anders on July 17, 2020

Intressant ämne, men tradigt skriven, och med ytlig analys. Boken är som en serie Wired-artiklar, där olika kreatörer intervjuas om sina program, i princip utan kritiska frågor. Många liknelser och tankefigurer återkommer. Boken hade behövt redigeras hårdare. Men den stora bristen är att Miller inte......more

Goodreads review by Terry on September 13, 2022

I gave The Artist in the Machine only 2 stars, possibly due to a case of high expectations. I was so fascinated by the subject matter that I could not wait to start this book. In the end, though, I had trouble getting through The Artist in the Machine. I appreciated Mr. Miller's in-depth explanation......more