Standing on the Shoulders of AI Giants

Isaac Newton famously declared, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Throughout history, despite being limited by the collective memory of civilization and its intermittent progress, humanity has continually developed tools to preserve and leverage knowledge. This creation and utilization of tools define our human essence, allowing us to stand on the shoulders of intellectual giants from various epochs.

In the age of computers and the internet, searching for information often involves navigating through keywords on search engines, where results can be skewed by algorithms and advertising. Finding the precise information we need can sometimes be a lengthy process. However, the emerging AI-powered internet era is changing this dynamic. Now, we can engage in natural language conversations to receive more targeted answers and personalized recommendations efficiently, transforming how we interact with information and cultural content. 

This advancement is paving the way for a new level of museum experience, where visitors can more personalized engage in conversations with virtual representations of historical figures like Salvador Dalí, enriching our understanding and connection to their artistic legacies.

The “Talking With AI Dali” Experience – “Ask Dali”

Thanks to AI, creating digital clones of historical figures from text, recordings, videos, and other data has become a reality. Imagine wanting to ask a question to a deceased thinker, artist, educator, or entrepreneur. Now, you actually can. Their knowledge and experiences are accessible through natural, conversational interactions, allowing for a faster and more engaging way to learn from them. A vivid example of this in action is the “Ask Dalí” installation at the Dalí Museum in Florida.

This interactive feature is ingeniously based on Dalí’s iconic “Lobster Phone” sculpture. It enables visitors to ‘call’ Dalí on a whimsical telephone and interact directly with his AI-generated voice. Whether you’re curious about his distinctive beard, the fluidity in his paintings, or seeking life advice, “Ask Dalí” facilitates a novel connection with the surrealist master. According to Business Insider, the virtual Dalí responds to 400-500 visitor questions daily, ranging from inquiries about his artistic techniques to personal philosophies.

How “Ask Dalí” Was Developed

The installation was developed by Goodby Silverstein & Partners (GS&P) and utilizes advanced machine learning models, including OpenAI’s GPT-4 and ElevenLabs’ Eleven V2. These models have been meticulously trained on Dalí’s vast array of works, producing responses that echo his unique voice, personality, style, and humor.

Jeff Goodby, co-founder and co-chairman of GS&P, notes, “Dalí was always captivated by the cutting-edge tools and technologies of his era, continually pushing the boundaries of artistic mediums.” The “Ask Dalí” project offers a playful and innovative way to interact with machine learning technology, drawing on Dalí’s poetic compositions and imaginative style to provide dynamic and sometimes unpredictable answers to visitors’ questions, making each interaction uniquely enlightening and entertaining.

A More Personalized Museum Experience In The Future

The “Ask Dalí” installation heralds a new era in museum experiences. Soon, we can anticipate the expansion of this technology to include other celebrated artists, potentially making “Ask Artist” installations a standard feature in museums worldwide.

This development will allow visitors not only to access detailed information about exhibits and their historical contexts more engagingly and intuitively but also to interact directly with the “artists” themselves. 

Currently limited to voice interactions, the future could see the integration of AI-driven image simulation and 3D projections, enabling face-to-face interactions with virtual representations of artists like Dalí. This immersive approach could dramatically transform how we connect with art, making every museum visit a deeply personal and interactive experience.

Extended Readings:

[1] https://thedali.org/exhibit/ask-dali/

[2] https://www.youtube.com/@DaliMuseum

[3] https://thedali.org/press-room/ask-dali-opens-april-11-at-the-dali-museum/