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With generative artificial intelligence (AI) on the rise, the ÐÔ°®ÌìÌà magazine team experimented with DALL·E, an AI image generator, when planning for the Spring 2024 issue, which is themed "HI, AI! Human Intelligence, meet Artificial Intelligence."

Before we go any further, you may be asking, what exactly is artificial intelligence? Though artificial intelligence (AI) has been around for decades, generative AI has recently surged in popularity thanks to new technology like ChatGPT and DALL·E. Here’s the gist: If we showed a smart robot tons of pictures of tigers, it would learn what tigers generally look like and could, when asked, use what it has learned to create a new tiger drawing. Similarly, Gen-AI creates new content (images, text, etc.) based on patterns it learns from existing data, such as public information on the internet.

ÐÔ°®ÌìÌà creative director Anh-Viet Dinh '15 worked with AI to create a gallery of artwork representing San Antonio. He used ChatGPT, a text generator, to help him brainstorm different styles of art and the characteristics of each. He then used those AI-generated descriptions to prompt DALL·E to generate the artwork. While his initial prompt for each piece of art was instructive, Dinh quickly evolved into a more casual conversation with DALL·E to fine-tune the images. The result? A curated gallery showing the potential for partnership between human instruction and AI capabilities. 

Ultimately, it was fun to play with AI and test the boundaries of its limitations. The image generator acted as a playground of sorts; for example, the magazine's writers and editors, who might feel more comfortable at a desk than in a studio, used AI to translate their words into art, no paintbrush required. We came away inspired, creatively refreshed, and brimming with ideas for the magazine. 

Despite AI's limitless creativity, the ÐÔ°®ÌìÌà magazine team strongly believes that the technology is best used in lockstep with a human. So, we asked ÐÔ°®ÌìÌà student James Lee '26 to illustrate many of the stories in the Spring 2024 issue. Lee combines AI generation with human illustration, creating a unique approach to art as we know it.

Enjoy this gallery of San Antonio art, but review it with a careful eye. You'll find buildings that don't belong in San Antonio, humans missing body parts, and other errors. Despite its wow factor, AI still doesn't have it completely right! 

This image was created by prompting DALL·E, an artificial intelligence image generator, for neo-traditional artwork of San Antonio with classic tattoo art styles and bold, colorful details.

This image was created by prompting DALL·E, an artificial intelligence image generator, for an Impressionist painting of San Antonio that emphasizes light and color with loose brushwork.

This image was created by prompting DALL·E, an artificial intelligence image generator, for a Modernist interpretation of San Antonio, focusing on clean lines, functional forms, and a minimalist aesthetic.

This image was created by prompting DALL·E, an artificial intelligence image generator, for a Cubist depiction of San Antonio art using fragmented, geometric forms that represent multiple viewpoints simultaneously.

This image was created by prompting DALL·E, an artificial intelligence image generator, for San Antonio art in a Rococo style, featuring playful and elaborate ornamentation with pastel colors.

This image was created by prompting DALL·E, an artificial intelligence image generator, for San Antonio art in a cyberpunk setting, with neon-lit streets and futuristic technology."

This image was created by prompting DALL·E, an artificial intelligence image generator, to depict San Antonio in an art brut style, focusing on raw, primitive, and powerful expressions.

This image was created by prompting DALL·E, an artificial intelligence image generator, for an Expressionist depiction of San Antonio's River Walk, using bold, expressive colors and dramatic brushstrokes.

This image was created by prompting DALL·E, an artificial intelligence image generator, for San Antonio art in a Futurism style, emphasizing dynamic energy, speed, and technological advancements.

This image was created by prompting DALL·E, an artificial intelligence image generator, for a minimalist depiction of San Antonio art, focusing on simplicity and the use of monochromatic colors.