In November 2022, the AI-powered chatbot ChatGPT made waves on the internet with its remarkable capabilities. Alex Woolner, like many others, was captivated by this new technology. However, instead of using it for typical applications like writing screenplays or poetry, Woolner decided to explore its potential in her own hobby: creating adorable crochet animals known as amigurumi.
Woolner, who works for a study-abroad organization and is also a co-founder of an arts and activism collective called Attack Bear Press, recognized that crochet patterns are akin to codes. Intrigued by this thought, she wondered what ChatGPT would generate if she requested a crochet pattern from it. The outcome, to put it mildly, was fascinatingly unusual.
While discussing her experiment, Woolner humorously described ChatGPT’s results as “monstrous.” Intrigued, she decided to share her AI-generated crochet patterns on TikTok under the username @generatedcrochet. To her surprise, her creations went viral, with viewers taking a keen interest in the AI’s peculiar designs. Some of the named creations include Gerald the Narwhal, XL the Newt, and Norma the Normal Fish. Additionally, the AI attempted to generate patterns for a cat, an octopus, and various mollusks.
It is important to understand that ChatGPT is a language model. It operates purely based on words and lacks visual comprehension or knowledge of crochet. Its functioning revolves around connecting frequently occurring word combinations in its training data. Consequently, the generated text can often be perceived as convincingly coherent, but upon closer inspection by an expert, it becomes apparent that it lacks accuracy or meaningful instructions.
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Woolner, being an expert in crochet, immediately noticed that the patterns produced by ChatGPT were flawed. The numbers were inconsistent, body parts were incorrectly proportioned, misplaced, or even missing entirely. In order to salvage the patterns, she found herself constantly seeking clarification from the AI. Questions about color choices, fin or eye placement, and nonsensical instructions were regularly presented to ChatGPT.
Rather than viewing the flawed patterns as a disappointment, Woolner chose to see her project as a collaborative effort and a playful response to concerns about AI’s impact on creative expression and livelihoods. She firmly believes that embracing AI as a tool and a potential collaborator can lead to intriguing possibilities in the arts. By integrating AI into creative processes, entirely new art forms and creative expressions can emerge, enabling artists to explore uncharted territories and pursue ideas that may have previously eluded them.
Woolner’s unique experience highlights the potential for humans and AI to work together in the arts. The combination of human expertise and AI capabilities opens doors to innovative approaches and novel outcomes that may not have been conceivable before. Rather than fearing the dominance of AI in creative fields, Woolner’s perspective encourages artists to embrace AI as a partner and source of inspiration.
In conclusion, Alex Woolner’s experiment with ChatGPT and crochet patterns showcases the power of collaboration between humans and AI in the creative realm. Through her exploration, she discovered that AI-generated patterns may not be flawless or accurate, but they can inspire new ideas and artistic directions. By embracing AI as a tool and a collaborator, artists have the opportunity to delve into unexplored territories and push the boundaries of their creativity. The story of Alex Woolner’s collaboration with ChatGPT serves as a testament to the endless possibilities that arise when humans and AI join forces in the pursuit of artistic expression.
