Who: Malik Afegbua
Age: 38
Where: Nigeria
Description: A creative genie
Hold on, that sounds like Aladdin.
You're right! Malik Afegbua is an artist who uses generative AI to transform older folks into glamorous black fashion models, as if they'd just strutted off a catwalk. Previously, they were a group happily ignored by society.
You mean it's not an elaborate joke?
Hard to say, really. But these models aren't actual people. It's Malik's imagination combined with AI software, creating a striking and heartfelt homage to older Africans.
What? So computers can paint pictures and write jokes now?
It's quite impressive. Generative adversarial networks (GANs) are a type of machine learning algorithm that enables AI to generate convincing images, videos, and audio of real people.
I’m lost.
Think of generative AI as a chef. Traditional AI is like using basic ingredients to make a simple dish. GANs, on the other hand, give the chef access to sophisticated and exotic ingredients, allowing them to whip up complex and elaborate dishes resembling a master chef's work.
I'm not sure if I'm amazed or terrified. But I can't say no to exotic cuisine!
To start, you give detailed instructions ("prompts") to generate the data. The outcome depends on your instructions' specificity. It might involve unusual ingredient combinations or cooking techniques. These unique creations are so prized that "prompt gods" have become a thing.
Wait. Have I met Malik before?
Sorry, I should have introduced him earlier. Before his ‘Fashion Show for Elders’ caught the eye of Ruth Carter (the Oscar-winning costume designer behind the Black Panther films) on social media, Malik used to make T-shirts out of his bedroom. He went to business school, but ditched it for the camera. Today, he’s an accomplished filmmaker with a Netflix documentary series. But it was his AI pioneering skills that broke the internet.
I’ve never seen anything like it. They look so real! Are you sure it’s not magic?
Well, there might be some magic involved. But the trick is to trick the AI-image generators. Malik used three different ones. Then he went back and forth with his photo editing tools to get a variety of results. Prompts are key but you have to be as specific and technical as possible. For example, if you want dramatic lighting - ask for ‘volumetric lighting’. Since Malik knows what that looks like in real life as a filmmaker - he’s able to get or create the exact images he wants. But once you understand what the prompts would lead to, you will enjoy playing around to get the best results.
But not everyone is happy with these image generators.
That’s true. Everyone is already using AI in lots of ways. We just don’t know how much more it can do. But concerns over the ethical and social implications of generative AI are valid. Some artists believe it might lead to new forms of creative expression. Malik sees this as an exciting opportunity for artists to evolve. But like any tool, it can be used for good or bad.
So how do we ensure it's used for good?
Malik tries to make sure that he’s not using someone else's work by creating imaginary things - things that don’t quite exist yet, So even with “mangled up” results, he can “correct and train” until it improves. His other series, Fiction, was inspired by imagining an ancient 250,000-year-old African civilisation that had cracked biological and technological codes. He's also dedicated to highlighting marginalized groups and creating impact for them.
Well, if making an impact is the latest trend, count me in!
Speaking of impact. Did you know that the clothes you wear actually weigh down on the environment?
Don't blame me! I don't wear clothes.
Not you, silly. Humans, on average, discard roughly 10 kg of textiles per year, which adds up to a staggering 10 million kilos of waste. That's enough to flatten Limburg's 1 million residents 10 times over!
Maybe we should save this for the summertime?
Sounds like a good time for more sustainable AI uses.
So, AI is not just for creating stunning images of elderly fashionistas?
Nope, that's just the tip of the iceberg. But the ethical part is simple. It’s what we want AI to be, what we make it to be. As Bridgeneers, we promise to guide you through the integration of AI solutions across various technologies, working alongside skilled developers to unlock the full potential of AI responsibly.
You’re losing me again. I’m going to just agree with you!