The lecture will take place at 25th January 4pm in the Ben Pimlott lecture theatre at Goldsmiths College.

In this talk Patrick will introduce the AIkon-II project and Paul the robot, a robotic installation
that sketches people's faces. 


In his talk, Mohammad, briefly introduces a novel hybrid swarm intelligence algorithm followed by 
a discussion on the 'computational creativity' of the swarm. The discussion is based on the 
performance of the swarm through a cooperative attempt to make a drawing. We raise the question 
on whether swarm intelligence algorithms (inspired by social systems in nature) are possibly 
capable of leading to a different way of producing 'artworks' and whether the swarms demonstrate 
computational creativity in a non-representational way. 


Bio: 
Mohammad Majid al-Rifaie obtained a BSc in Computing and Information Systems from University of 
London, Goldsmiths College, External Programme in 2005. His background is in computing, 
craftsmanship and journalism and his artistic interests focuses on the inter-connections between 
artificial intelligence, swarm intelligence, robotics and digital art. Postgraduate study took him 
to do a PhD course which touched upon Aritificial Intelligence, Swarm Intelligence, Cognitive 
Science and Robotics at Goldsmits, University of London. Mohammad's thesis focuses on the 
significance of information sharing in population-based algorithms (e.g. Swarm Intelligence). 
Mr. al-Rifaie's current research interests, in addition to the role of information sharing, 
lie in understanding the impact of freedom and autonomy in computational creativity. 


http://www.arcofbeing.com/ 


Bio: 
Patrick Tresset, a French artist/scientist currently based in London, uses what he calls “clumsy 
robotics” to create autonomous cybernetic entities that are playful projections of the artist. He 
co-directs the Aikon-II project with Frederic Fol Leymarie at Goldsmiths College, University of 
London. 


The Aikon-II project investigates the observational sketching activity through computational 
modeling and robotics. The project also provides a rich ground for an artist to examine issues in 
creativity, and in exploring robotics systems as a source of potential augmentation of one's 
creative capacity. The work also seeks to engage with the public in softening the artificial 
divide between the "two cultures" of contemporary art & science. 


http://www.aikon-gold.com/


Hope to see you at the Lecture,


Philo van Kemenade
Co-organiser Whitehead Lectures
Goldsmiths, University of London