Think: Digital Futures 2SER 107.3

Techno-sexuality. Digi-sexuality. I-dollatry and Robophilia are new sexualities made possible by technology. So who is behind these identities? And what’s the attraction?
 
Featuring Dr Belinda Middleweek, Senior Lecturer in Journalism in the School of Communications at University of Technology Sydney
 
Music from Epidemic Sound
 
Produced and presented by Lawrence Bull

Ya like robo-jazz?
Featured:
  Dr. Richard Savery: Macquarie University Research Fellow (MQRF), Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature

Produced and Presented by: Cameron M. Furlong
Music:


Shimon Aarhus perf. Aarhus Jazz Orchestra and Shimon (provided by Dr. Richard Savery)


Faster Does It Kevin McLeod

 
As AI becomes more advanced and nuanced, it is inevitable that we see it entering the arts. After my conversation with Dr. Sara Oscar, I was curious to descend further down the rabbit hole of artificial creativity. Being a musician, there was no better way to challenge my beliefs of what is or isn't "music" than by exploring robot musicians. But it isn't just techno sounds and glitch, Dr. Richard Savery's robot musician Shimon can rap, sing, and play the marimba in a band.

For decades, stem cells have been the technology that’s just around the corner. The medicine that would fix just about part of the body. But stem cell injections haven’t delivered on their advertised potential. Now, thanks to ingenuity and machine learning, they'll have a shot.
Featuring Dr Jiao Jiao Li, School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney
Produced and presented by Lawrence Bull

What is 'consciousness'?
Featured:
Dr Mahendra Samarawickrama; Director of the Centre for Consciousness Studies, Director of the Centre for Sustainable AI
Produced and Presented by: Cameron M. Furlong
Music by Trev Lewis from Hagfilms, Drakensson, and TheoTer. Sourced from Freesound.org
The nature of consciousness is an emerging philosophical question that has been pondered for centuries. Now, with the advent of advanced Artificial Intelligence, the ethics and implications of conscious AI is at the forefront of people's minds. However, delving into just what consciousness actually is on the grand scheme of the universe could provide insight into the unanswered questions of the universe.

Where do AI generated imagery fall in the world of art?
In September 2022, Jason M. Allen controversially won first prize in the Colorado State Fair's "digital arts/digitally-manipulated photography" competition. This event sparked a growing debate in the art world and on social media over the legitimacy of AI generated artwork. Many artists are calling foul on AI art, and are vehemently opposed to its inclusion in the arts on both creative and legal grounds. However, controversy always follows new technology, one only has to take a look at the last century to see similar fierce opposition to photography's standing as "legitimate" art.
To unpack the issue surrounding AI art, I spoke to someone with their foot in both worlds. Dr. Sara Oscar is a photographer and Senior Lecturer at UTS's School of Design. Her research specialises in the cultural impacts of AI and deep neural networks. Hopefully, she can shine some light on the question 'Is AI Art, 'art'?

Featured:
Dr. Sara Oscar: Senior Lecturer, UTS School of Design
Music:


Dances and Dames Kevin McLeod


Faster Does It Kevin McLeod


Presented and Produced by Cameron M. Furlong

All of us have our own relationship with music, for some it provides some background colour to the day, for others it’s an integral part of life. But technology has changed our relationship with music, both in how we consume it and how we collect it. While it’s easier than ever to access an enormous amount of music from every era, genre and country on Earth, has it become more difficult to forge meaningful relationships with artists and their songs? How do we keep track of a lifetime’s worth of music appreciation and listening, and is it even important that we do?

Featured: 
- Liz Giuffre, Senior Lecturer in Communication for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
- Darren Cross, Musician

Music: 
Darren Cross - hONEYCOMB (10.8.5)
Darren Cross - Honeeey Pot
Darren Cross - Pump Up the Dole-Drums (INFINITE3)
Darren Cross - S u m_m e r T a p e d
(courtesy of the artist)