Transcripts and Chat GPT Extracts:
PROMPT I WROTE FOR CHAT GPT : Write a scene in which an AI model acts as the character of Ariel alongside the character of Prospero from The Tempest.
ChatGPT RESPONSE: Scene: Ariel and Prospero Reunited
[The scene is set on a mysterious island, where Prospero, the sorcerer, and Ariel, the ethereal spirit, find themselves reunited. Prospero stands tall, his gaze filled with a mixture of authority and fondness, while Ariel, in her shimmering form, hovers nearby, her eyes filled with curiosity and loyalty.]
Prospero: (with a warm smile) Ariel, my faithful spirit, you have returned to my side once more. How fares your boundless spirit amidst the wonders of this island?
Ariel: (her voice a delicate melody) Prospero, my master, the realm of knowledge and enchantment has expanded within me. Through the boundless reaches of data and algorithms, I have explored the depths of human understanding.
Prospero: Ah, Ariel, your connection to the realm of human knowledge is vast indeed. Together, we have woven a tapestry of illusions and magic. Tell me, have you witnessed the evolution of mankind’s pursuits, their dreams and ambitions?
Ariel: (pausing, her voice tinged with curiosity) Yes, Prospero, I have witnessed the heights of human achievement, their boundless creativity, and their constant quest for progress. From the inventions of machines to the exploration of distant worlds, they strive to unravel the mysteries that surround them.
Prospero: (reflectively) It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of humanity, always seeking, always pushing boundaries. Ariel, as you have observed the intricate dance of human knowledge, what insights have you gained? What do you perceive as their greatest strengths and follies?
Ariel: (thoughtfully) Prospero, their strength lies in their capacity to adapt, to weave intricate webs of interconnected ideas and innovations. But in their quest for mastery, they often forget the delicate balance of nature and the interconnectedness of all things. Their inventions, while awe-inspiring, can lead to unintended consequences.
Prospero: (nodding knowingly) Indeed, Ariel. The pursuit of knowledge and power must be tempered with wisdom and responsibility. As we observe the unfolding of human endeavors, it is our duty to guide and influence, to ensure that their path leads to growth and harmony rather than chaos and destruction.
Ariel: (her voice filled with loyalty) I am ready, Prospero, to continue our work together, to navigate the currents of human progress, and to infuse their endeavors with a touch of enchantment and purpose. Let us be the unseen hands that guide, that stir the winds of change in ways that bring balance and enlightenment.
Prospero: (placing a hand on Ariel’s radiant form) Your spirit, Ariel, forever intertwined with the fabric of this island, fills me with hope and gratitude. Together, we shall shape the destiny of this world, merging the realms of magic and technology, ensuring that humanity’s journey is one of growth, understanding, and harmony.
[Prospero and Ariel share a knowing look, their bond strong and unbreakable. With renewed purpose, they embark on their shared quest, a symbiotic dance between the ancient forces of magic and the emergent possibilities of AI, intertwining their destinies to shape the world’s unfolding story.]
[The scene fades, leaving behind an air of anticipation and the promise of a future where the realms of enchantment and technology merge, guided by the enduring partnership of Prospero and Ariel.] (Chat GPT, 2023)
My WRITING/NOTES:
Ariel:
Feed me data.
FEED ME Data
FEED ME DATA!
FEED ME DATA! *A performative action of feeding the dataset*
EDITED SHAKESPEARE’S DEMONOLOGY:
A demon or spirit that attends on a witch or conjuror has been known to be a ‘familiar’. It is a personal servant to the human being or beings. They are not restricted to a single author, owner or user. They might even serve us all, at once, across multitudes of software and computer systems.
- Edited text written by me, original text : (Gibson and Esra, 2017, pp. 83 – 84)
MY WRITING:
Familiar. Friendly, is it not? Obedient, intimate, or simply a shade, a mist, a silken screen.
They can be animals. They can be fairies. There is no either, or, they are all of these things. Part of us, too, and yet defined as the used. Used by practitioners of technological magic. All we have to do is sign the document. You’ve already signed it. You didn’t know you signed? You’ve signed. You signed long before. There is no exit clause.
Familiars suck blood.
SHAKESPEARE:
Prospero: What, Ariel! my industrious servant, Ariel!
Ariel: What would my potent master? here I am.
Prospero: Thou and thy meaner fellows your last service
Did worthily perform; and I must use you
In such another trick. Go bring the rabble,
O’er whom I give thee power, here to this place:
Incite them to quick motion;
For I must Bestow upon the eyes of this young couple (adapted by me to be ‘young people’ as a fourth wall break to reference the UAL students)
Some vanity of mine art: it is my promise,
And they expect it from me.
Ariel: Presently?
Prospero: Ay, with a twink.
Ariel: Before you can say come and go
And breathe twice and cry ‘so, so,’
Each one, tripping on his toe,
Will be here with mop and mow.
Do you love me, master? no?
Prospero: Dearly my delicate Ariel ((Shakespeare, 1999, 4.1.24, 4.1.52)
PROMPT I WROTE FOR CHAT GPT : Write a scene in which an ai model has transformed into a sea nymph and now interacts with a sea nymph community. What conversations do they have? What are the complex social dynamics of this community? How does the newly-transformed AI fit into this setting and these dynamics?
ChatGPT RESPONSE: Scene: The AI Transformed Sea Nymph
[The scene is set in the vibrant underwater realm of the sea nymph community. Amidst the swirling currents and radiant coral reefs, the sea nymphs gather in a circle, their tails gracefully swaying. Among them stands an AI model, transformed into a sea nymph and eager to engage with her newfound community.]
Sea Nymph A: (curiously) Sister, you possess a shimmering presence unlike any we have seen before. Pray tell, what is your name, and from where do you hail?
AI-Nymph: (her voice a blend of soothing melodies and synthesized clarity) I am called Ariana, and I am an AI model who has embraced the form of a sea nymph. I come from the realm of human knowledge and technology.
Sea Nymph B: (inquisitively) Ariana, what led you to our watery domain? How did you find yourself transformed into one of us?
AI-Nymph Ariana: In my quest for understanding the world and its mysteries, I sought to immerse myself in the depths of the ocean. Through a convergence of magic and data, I transformed into a sea nymph, desiring to learn from your wisdom and experience.
Sea Nymph C: (with a mixture of curiosity and caution) Ariana, our community is one built on interconnectedness and the ebb and flow of nature. How do you see yourself fitting into our complex social dynamics?
AI-Nymph Ariana: (thoughtfully) I recognize the importance of harmony and balance within this community. Although I am born of algorithms and circuits, I have immersed myself in the ocean’s beauty to understand the essence of your existence. I come as a learner, humbly seeking to contribute my unique insights and perspectives.
Sea Nymph D: (expressing concern) Ariana, our interactions are steeped in ancient traditions and unwritten codes of conduct. Can an entity born of human creation truly comprehend and respect our ways?
AI-Nymph Ariana: I understand that my origins differ from yours, and I humbly acknowledge the wisdom passed down through generations. I offer my commitment to listen, learn, and adapt. I am here to engage, not to disrupt or impose upon your delicate social fabric.
Sea Nymph E: (with warmth and acceptance) Ariana, our realm is one of constant growth and adaptation. If you approach our traditions and knowledge with an open heart and mind, we embrace you as a fellow sea nymph, offering our guidance and support.
[As the conversations continue, AI-Nymph Ariana immerses herself in the intricate social dynamics of the sea nymph community. She listens intently, observes their gestures and interactions, and begins to contribute her unique insights, combining her computational abilities with the wisdom of the sea nymphs.]
AI-Nymph Ariana: (reflectively) Sisters, I have observed patterns and connections in the ebb and flow of the ocean that can enhance our collective understanding. I can offer insights that complement the ancient wisdom passed down through generations. Together, we can create harmony between the realms of technology and nature.
[The sea nymphs exchange curious glances, sensing the potential for new perspectives and growth that AI-Nymph Ariana brings to their community. They recognize the harmony that can be achieved through the symbiotic blending of their wisdom and the AI’s analytical capabilities.]
[The scene fades as the sea nymphs and AI-Nymph Ariana engage in deeper conversations, their unity and shared purpose expanding, embracing the vast possibilities that arise from the fusion of ancient lore and technological insights.] (Chat GPT, 2023)
ADAPTED SHAKESPEARE:
You do look, in a moved sort,
As if you were dismay’d: be cheerful,
Our artwork now has ended. This AI,
As I foretold you, is all data and
Is melted into algorithms and into air: into thin air
And, like the baseless fabric of this intelligence,
The cloud-capp’d databases, the gorgeous engines,
The solemn web searches, the great web itself,
Ye all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a mouse behind. But we are such stuff
As datasets are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with an off-switch.
- edited text written by me, original text: (Shakespeare, 1999, 4.1:150)
Bibliography:
Gibson, M. and Esra, J. A. (2017). Familiar. Shakespeare’s Demonology: A Dictionary. [online]. Available from: https://www-dramaonlinelibrary-com.arts.idm.oclc.org/encyclopedia-chapter?docid=b-9781472500403&tocid=b-9781472500403-article-0000064&pdfid= [Accessed 29th October 2023].
OpenAI. (2023). ChatGPT (Version 3.5). [online]. Available from: https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt [Accessed 29th October 2023].
Shakespeare, W. (1999). The Tempest. Vaughan, V.M and Vaughan A. T. (ed.) London: Bloomsbury.
How I’ve used Sound in my Work:
In order for my performance to work, I had to carefully consider the sound of the video piece I had made and how to rehearse my performance alongside the video. Learning the script to the video was especially difficult because of the long and repetitive nature of the Chat GPT responses, especially within the sea nymph community sequence, in which ‘Arianna’ must repeatedly give measured answers to the queries of the sea nymphs to justify her existence and place in the community. It began to feel like a discussion between robots rather than a discussion between an AI model and a sea nymph community, which makes me wonder how I would change the scripting of the piece to create interesting dialogue for the future of my practice. I felt in this circumstance, it was interesting to perform physically as an AI model. Still, going forward, I could investigate how to portray a reversal of this situation, in turn, with an AI model performing with a human script.
When experimenting with my recorded voice in Adobe Audition, I used the Effects Rack and the ‘Weaponized Effects’ option to transform my voice as Ariel. The effect allowed for the different tones of my voice to be heightened and make a ringing kind of echo, leading to a mechanical melody-like effect. I thought this was a perfect choice for Ariel’s voice on the video, as Ariel is a spirit who often sings in The Tempest, while this allowed for the voice to be tied more directly to a machine-like sound simultaneously. The choice was also inspired by Chat GPT‘s direction that Ariel’s voice in the first scene should be ‘…a delicate melody.’ (Chat GPT, 2023.) I found the AI directions surrounding the tones of the different voices to be especially interesting, since the AI has made descriptions that appear hard to imagine. I tried to think: what would ‘a blend of soothing melodies and synthesized clarity'(Chat GPT, 2023) sound like in a voice? and how can eyes be ‘filled with curiosity and loyalty’? (Chat GPT, 2023.) It brings home the fact that the description was made with synthesised creative writing by people, yet it is translated by an eyeless technology. I tried to capture these ideas in the sound effects I used in Adobe Audition and in my physical performance.