While there can be no general agreement on a definition of “art,” it may be possible to draw a vague perimeter. Creativity is a necessary precondition of making art, but is it a sufficient condition? Are all things creative necessarily artistic? Recent advancement in generative AI is making this question even more important. Are machines creative, and if so, can they make art? When elephants paint with their trunk, is that art? Is intentionality essential? Are machines intentional?

Kunal Sen, an AI scientist turned artist, has the privileged perspective of seeing it from both sides. He will present his views on these intriguing questions in this seminar cosponsored by the Nanovaccine Institute and the College of Design.

About the speaker

Kunal Sen studied physics and later obtained his PhD in artificial intelligence from the University of Illinois Chicago. After designing medical diagnostic instruments for several years, he has been a technology executive for more than 20years and is currently the global chief information officer at Encyclopædia Britannica and Merriam-Webster.

Sen received his artistic training at the University of Illinois and the Art Institute of Chicago and has been a practicing artist for the past 12 years. He works in various mediums, including painting and sculpture, and makes kinetic sculptures using active electronics. He recently published his first non-technical book, Bondhu: My Father, My Friend.