139_TUWAIQ | طويق

Inspiration

In a world where an adequate answer to "who are you?" has proven to be a much grander challenge, we wanted to see how would that fit with the technology proposed to replace us.

What it does

Showcases the transition of Tuwaiq, an escarpment that cuts through the Najd plateau, in a transitional and artistic manner. Tuwaiq has been chosen for this experiment because of Prince Mohammad Bin Salman's likening of the mountain to the strength and ambition of the Saudis.

How I built it

We have used a Generative Adversial Network variation, StyleGAN, trained on a dataset of ~100 images to create a unique latent space exploration art piece.

Challenges I ran into

Creating an art piece that speaks about the culture of Saudi Arabia through an objective medium (AI).
Collecting training images that would result in the final art work (the unpredictable nature of the output, idea vs. execution using an unfamiliar medium; or familiar in a different context).
Training the model to traverse and explore the latent space and creating smooth transitions between each sample image.
Utilizing GPU power efficiently during the training period of the model.

Accomplishments that I'm proud of

Working with a highly energetic and enthusiastic teammates as well as learning from diverse skillsets and backgrounds.
Creating captivating art piece that really differentiate itself.
Diving deep into the StyleGAN model and configure its training parameters to meet our needs.

What I learned

The use of Generative Adversial Networks.
Collaborating with diverse talents and honing strengths of each skillset in a competition that utilizes this juxtaposition of talent.
Exploring the multitude of tools used to create products of AI and ML (Tensorflow, StyleGAN).
The subjectivity machines showcase when given the feigned ability to think.

What's next for TUWAIQ | طويق

This hackathon showed us the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning in humanities. Next steps would be a deeper dive into that newfound intersection, an intersection that doesn't threaten humans but supports them. our experimentation with AI showed us that it could be a tool to explore the nuances of being human when the bounds of its subjectivity is pushed. Next steps for this artwork specifically is its expansion to become an interactive art piece; a more immersive experience using audio to control the model's exploration in the latent space. Another proposition incorporates face detection, to involve viewers in the creation of a cultural art piece; a reminder of who we are in a world where figuring that out became a challenge.