Using AI in Your Art with Manuel Sainsily | Skillshare x Mozilla
Entertainment
Introduction
In a world where cultures are rapidly disappearing due to climate change, globalization, and conflict, the fragility of cultural heritage becomes increasingly evident. One striking example is the story of Boa, the last link to a 65,000-year-old culture in the Andaman Islands. When she passed away in 2010, so too did the Bow language, marking yet another loss in the tapestry of human culture. But amidst this loss, there is hope in the form of technology.
Enter Manuel Sainsily, a multidisciplinary artist and educator from the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, who is pioneering the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) to preserve cultural heritage. As an honoree of Mozilla Rise 25, Manuel believes that the implementation of AI can offer robust solutions for cultural preservation.
The Importance of Cultural Preservation
Cultural preservation, much like storing ingredients in a refrigerator, requires an innovative approach to ensure that valuable genealogical threads are not lost to time. One remarkable initiative in Norway is a vault that preserves seeds of every plant and crop facing extinction. Just as these seeds can be revived, Manuel envisions a digital equivalent for culture.
Manuel’s key insight came from studying Microsoft’s Ur project, which aims to support low-resource languages. Alarmingly, a language goes extinct every two weeks. This revelation motivated him to think critically about how his own language, Guadeloupean Creole, could be integrated into AI systems like ChatGPT.
Creating Guadeloupean GPT
Upon discovering ChatGPT's limited support for Guadeloupean Creole compared to Haitian Creole, which shares a 70-80% word overlap, Manuel recognized a gap that needed filling. He used this as an opportunity to develop a custom GPT that could better represent his language. By inputting family documents, poems, and other texts written in proper Guadeloupean Creole, Manuel crafted what he refers to as “Creole GPT.” This effort serves as a model for others to preserve their own endangered languages.
Utilizing 3D Scanning for Cultural Documentation
In addition to language, Manuel leverages 3D scanning technology to document vital cultural spaces and environments in Guadeloupe. Using tools like the iPhone 12 Pro's LiDAR scanner, he can capture the physical attributes of his surroundings, allowing him to build digital representations that showcase the flora, fauna, and geographical characteristics unique to his island. This not only helps preserve physical spaces that are rapidly changing but also enhances storytelling through virtual experiences.
The Role of AI in Filmmaking
Another avenue of exploration for Manuel is the intersection of AI and filmmaking. He expresses how cultures are often articulated through cinema, noting the impact of animated films like Disney's "Hercules." With early access to OpenAI’s generative video platform, Sora, he collaborated to create "Protop," a surreal short film that delves into cultural dislocation and the concept of home. In combining AI-generated visuals with realistic elements, he achieved a unique narrative style that reflects his cultural complexity.
A Collective Effort
Ultimately, Manuel sees cultural preservation as a collective journey. He envisions a 3D mind map connecting various art forms—film, video games, music—to foster a rich cultural ecosystem. In a world teeming with untapped creativity, he believes AI can empower individuals to find their artistic voices. By sharing their unique contributions, everyone can plant a digital seed in a cultural “vault,” participating in the preservation and celebration of collective cultural legacies.
Keywords
- Cultural preservation
- AI technology
- Guadeloupean Creole
- Language extinction
- 3D scanning
- Filmmaking
- Manuel Sainsily
- Mozilla Rise 25
FAQ
1. What is the significance of cultural preservation?
Cultural preservation is vital in maintaining the diversity and richness of human heritage, especially as many cultures face threats from climate change and globalization.
2. How can AI assist in preserving culture?
AI can process vast amounts of cultural data, help document endangered languages, create digital representations of cultural environments, and facilitate new forms of storytelling through film.
3. What is Guadeloupean GPT?
Guadeloupean GPT is a custom-developed AI model that incorporates Guadeloupean Creole for better linguistic representation and serves as a tool for cultural preservation.
4. How does 3D scanning contribute to cultural preservation?
3D scanning allows for the documentation of physical environments and cultural spaces, creating digital assets that reflect their real-world counterparts, which can be invaluable for storytelling and historical context.
5. What is "Protop" and its themes?
"Protop" is a short film created by Manuel Sainsily that explores themes of cultural dislocation and the meaning of home, utilizing AI-generated visuals for storytelling.