On the final day of CES 2016, IBM surprisingly announces a new AI project. In an endeavor to further question our humanity, this new machine — dubbed IBM Frank — can presumably view art and offer its opinions. Of course, many of us have heard of the momentous event when the chess-playing computer, Deep Blue, beat the reigning world human champion Garry Kasparov in 1996 and more recently, IBM Watson on the famous game show beating Ken Jennings in 2011. Jeopardy! With the current advancements in technology, Frank is equipped with two high-end megapixel cameras simulating human depth perception. This allows the machine to judge 2D art such as paintings, photographs, and drawings but also 3D art (although a bit limited) such as sculptures and pottery. The software installed allows Frank to analyze, communicate, and even critique whatever it is that he is viewing. Human imagination however is still too vast for even an advanced machine. Sadly Frank is limited from viewing electronic and acoustic art as well as appreciating mother nature. However IBM is optimistic about the future where one day there will be a machine that can appreciate art better than humans. One art critic embraces such innovation: “Finally, a machine that can do my job for me and I will have to find another occupation that actually contributes to society!” But of course not everyone will follow progress. Some view this machine as an abhorrent mutation against human. One man exclaimed,”Leave art appreciating to the humans! It’s unnatural.” Another lawyer will soon file a claim making it illegal to create machines such as Frank since it creates a slippery slope towards robotic domination, “how are humans supposed to compete against computers?!” IBM will later release an add-on section to Frank. This section will allow Frank to replicate a piece of art and allow anyone to hold it in their hands. This add-on contains a top of the line printer which features traditional laser ink for photographic art but there’s more. The printer can also use pencil and paint brushes to create drawings and paintings right down to the last stroke. Sculptures are not left out. A 3D printer allows Frank to print your favorite sculpture, be it or the Now everyone can mass produce originality. As Salvador Dali once said, “The first man to compare the cheeks of a young woman to a rose was obviously a poet; the first person to repeat it was possibly a genius.” David Statue of Liberty.
