The 2nd IEEE Workshop on
Artificial Intelligence for Art Creation

Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
August 8, 2020
Jointly with MIPR 2020

Call for Papers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has already fueled many academic fields as well as industries. In the area of art creation, AI has demonstrated its great potential and gained increasing popularity. It is feasible for an AI painting system to generate desired content in the style of a specific famous painter, eastern or western. Meanwhile, tunes composed by AI also have attracted a large amount of fans and even led people into believing that they were originated from masters of classical music. Moreover, the most impressing development enabled by AI has been achieved recently in virtual hosting. These breakthroughs have brought up great opportunities while posing severe challenges. On the one hand, all these technologies are helping enrich art works needed by human and saving up much human labors. On the other, it is controversial whether to evaluate the values of AI art the same way that human art is measured, and an even challenging issue is to discern AI art from human art.

This is the 2nd AIArt workshop to be held on MIPR and it aims to bring forward cutting-edge technologies and most recent advances in the area of AI art in terms of the enabling technologies and their counterpart of analyzing and authenticating methods. We sincerely invite high-quality papers presenting or addressing issues related to AI art, including but not limited to the following topics:

  • Computational neuroscience, cognition and AI for art creation
  • Artistic style transfer for AI painting and artworks
  • AI for music/sound synthesis, composing, matching and instrument digital design
  • AI for poem composing and synthesis
  • AI for typography and graphic design
  • AI for fashion, makeup and virtual human
  • Deep learning techniques for aesthetics understanding, analysis, assessment and prediction
  • Aesthetic-driven AI art and design
  • Authentication and copyright issues of AI artworks

Paper Submission

The workshop will accept regular papers (6 pages), short papers (4 pages), and demo papers (2 pages). Selected submissions could be invited to submit to journal special issues.

More information: http://www.ieee-mipr.org/submit_instruction.html

Submission address: https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/AIART2020


Submit link

Important Dates

Submissions due
January 20, 2020
Notification of Acceptance
January 31, 2020
Camera-ready papers due
February 21, 2020
Workshop date
August 8, 2020

Keynotes (1/5)

Keynote 1


Title:

Funny AI based Generation

Time:

8:30 - 9:10, August 8, 2020

Abstract:

AI based creation enables an AI to be regarded as an independent creator. In this talk, I would like to introduce our recent research on the following aspects: 1) how an AI creates a poetry from an image, 2) how an AI creates a simile, 3) how an AI creates script lines from a narrative, and 4) how an AI creates a storyboard from a story. Please enjoy imperfect but funny creation works from AI algorithms.

Biography:

Dr. Ruihua SONG worked at Microsoft Research Asia from 2003 to 2017. Her research interests include information retrieval and extraction, recommendation and text generation. Her paper on web page block importance modeling got Best Paper Runner-up Award from WWW 2004. Her proposed generic main article extraction across websites algorithm was shipped as reading view features of IE 11. On May, 2017, the first poem collection that is 100% created by an AI was published. The book title is “Sunshine Lost Windows”. She contributes the generation algorithm from an image to a poetry. Later she joined Xiaoice team at Microsoft Software Technology Center as a principle science lead. Her recent research interests include AI based creation, modeling inner world of an AI (such as emotion, mood, stance, etc.), and multi-modal understanding or expression of natural language. She serves a lot of international conferences, such as SIGIR, CIKM, KDD etc. as Area Chair, Senior PC, or PC. She will be the co-chair of SIGIR 2021 short paper.

Keynotes (2/5)

Keynote 2


Title:

The rise of Creative AI: Computational Creativity and Generative Art at the Metacreation Lab

Time:

10:10 – 10:50, August 8, 2020.

Abstract:

The Metacreation Lab for Creative Artificial Intelligence focuses on the design deployment and evaluation of generative systems that partially or completely automate creative tasks. We will introduce, motivate, and exemplify these new developments of AI and machine learning towards embedded generative systems and computer-assisted creativity. We will illustrate our discourse with examples of projects from the Lab for music composition, music improvisation, 3D character animation, choreography, and music video generation, as well as examples of artworks produced by Lab members.

Biography:

Philippe Pasquier research creative processes and generative systems. He is a scientist specialized in artificial intelligence, a multidisciplinary artist, an educator, and a community builder. His contributions range from theoretical research in multi-agent systems, computational creativity, creative AI and machine learning, to applied artistic research and practice in digital art, computer music, and generative art. Philippe is an associate professor in Simon Fraser University School for Interactive Arts and Technology, in Vancouver, where he directs the Metacreation Lab for Creative AI.

Philippe's artistic work has been shown in prominent venues on all five continents, including at Ars Electronica (Austria), Les Bains Numériques (France), Centre Pompidou (France), Earzoom festival (Slovenia), GMEA (France), IRCAM (France), ISEA2012 (Turkey), ISEA2014 (Dubai), ISEA2016 (Honk Kong), ISEA2017 (Columbia), Musée d’Art Contemporain de Montréal (Canada), Mutek Festival (Canada), Plus One Gallery (USA), Space One (Korea), Sydney Biennale (Australia), Vooruit (Belgium), and ZKM (Germany), ICST (Switzerland).

Philippe was a founding chair and investigator of the International Workshop on Musical Metacreation (MUME), the MUME concerts series, the International ACM Conference on Movement and Computation (MOCO), and was the director of the Vancouver edition of the International Symposium on Electronic Arts (ISEA2015). He has co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed contributions presented in the most rigorous scientific venues.

Philippe's projects have gained support and recognition from more than 20 scientific or cultural institutions including the Canadian Council for the Arts (CCA), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) the French Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, the European Community, the Australian Research Council and the Australian Council for the Arts.

Keynotes (3/5)

Keynote 3


Title:

MOJA: A Chinese Style Robotic Performance Art where AI, Robotics and Art meet

Time:

11:50 – 12:30, August 8, 2020

Abstract:

MOJA is a Chinese style robotic performance art project developed in 2019. China has a long history of automation engineering development. It is clear that no later than 6th century AD., Ancient China had developed advanced hydraulic automation engineering that inspired later automation and robotics engineers. In MOJA project, we created three robotic musical players combining modern technologies and traditional cultural elements to illustrate an ancient engineering-crafts automated puppet style.

MOJA is an attempt of an interdisciplinary research practice. A number of robotics techniques are integrated to enable instrument playing with a high standard. Digital twin manufacturing method and AI techniques are adopted in the robot structure and motion design process. The engagement of art aims to provide a higher perception to audience. This talk will briefly introduce this project and techniques behind it.

Biography:

Haipeng Mi, Ph.D. is currently an associate professor with The Department of Information Art and Design, Tsinghua University, China. He is a visiting researcher at the Future Lab of Tsinghua University. His Research Interests include Natural User Interface, Tangible Interaction, Human-Robot Interaction, Interactive Surface and Space, and Interactive Art. Prof. Mi has published over 30 peer-reviewed publications. He has served as a PC member of a number of conferences such as HAI and Chinese CHI. He has been selected in the China National Youth Talent Support Program in 2017. Prof. Mi is the founder of MOJA, which is the first Chinese style robot performance art project.

Prof. Mi has received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Information Systems in 2011 from the University of Tokyo. He has also received a B.Sc. in Physics and an M.Eng. in Electronics Engineering from Tsinghua University in 2005 and 2008 respectively. Before joining Tsinghua, he was an Assistant Professor at Initiative of Interdisciplinary Information Studies, the University of Tokyo.

Keynotes (4/5)

Keynote 4


Title:

Understanding machine learning as a tool for supporting human creativity

Time:

14:00 – 14:40, August 8, 2020.

Abstract:

Computer scientists typically think about machine learning as a set of powerful algorithms for modeling data in order to make decisions or predictions, or to better understand some phenomenon. In this talk, I’ll invite you to consider instead how machine learning algorithms can function as live and interactive human-machine interfaces. These interfaces can support a variety creative, embodied, and exploratory interactions with computers and media. They can also enable a broader range of people—from software developers to children to music therapists—to create interactive digital systems. Drawing on a decade of research on these topics, I’ll discuss some of our most exciting findings about how machine learning can support human creative practices, for instance by enabling faster prototyping and exploration of new technologies (including by non-programmers), by supporting greater embodied engagement in design, and by changing the ways that creators are able to think about the design process and about themselves.

Biography:

Dr. Rebecca Fiebrink is a Reader at the Creative Computing Institute at University of the Arts London, where she designs new ways for humans to interact with computers in creative practice. Fiebrink is the developer of the Wekinator, open-source software for real-time interactive machine learning whose current version has been downloaded over 25,000 times. She is the creator of a MOOC titled “Machine Learning for Artists and Musicians,” which launched in 2016 on the Kadenze platform. Much of her work is driven by a belief in the importance of inclusion, participation, and accessibility: she works frequently with human-centred and participatory design processes, and she is currently working on projects related to creating new accessible technologies with people with disabilities, and designing inclusive machine learning curricula and tools. Dr. Fiebrink has worked with companies including Microsoft Research, Sun Microsystems Research Labs, Imagine Research, and Smule. She holds a PhD in Computer Science from Princeton University.

Keynotes (5/5)

Keynote 5


Title:

The emerging role of AI in music industry

Time:

16:00 – 16:40, August 8, 2020

Abstract:

QQ Music has over 800 million registered users, alongside with over 35 million licensed tracks in library with 3000 new tracks uploaded daily. Regarding WeSing, we have over 800 million registered users, 5.5 million karaoke tracks in library, and 10 million new User Generated Content (UGC) uploaded daily. The main challenges we are currently facing are: How to improve operation efficiency? For example, how to enhance long-tail exposure, precisely target different audience groups, and discover new singers from UGC? In today's talk I will discuss the AI solution in handling these challenges, by the latest Deep learning and Music Information Retrieval (MIR) techniques.

Biography:

Dr. Simon Lui is the Director and Expert AI scientist of the QQ Music BU, Tencent Music Entertainment Group (TME), and Adjunct Professor of the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). His primary research interests are AI and music information retrieval. Before joining TME, Simon was an Assistant Professor of SUTD, Visiting Assistant Professor in MIT, and he has developed several #1 best-selling apps in the iOS app store in 7 countries. As an award-winning violinist and professional music arranger, Simon was also an invited beatbox guest in Eason Chan and Andy Lau's concert. Simon is a member of Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong (CASH).

Conference Program

Technical Program Committee (Tentative)

  • Jia Jia, Tsinghua University, China
  • John See, Multimedia University, Malaysia
  • Lai-Kuan Wong, Multimedia University, Malaysia
  • Lingyu Duan, Peking University, China
  • Long Ye, China University of Communication, China
  • Qi Liu, University of Science and Technology of China, China
  • Ruihua Song, Microsoft Research of Asia, China
  • Rui Wang, Institute of Information Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
  • Si Liu, Beihang University, China
  • Shasha Mao, Xidian University, China
  • Wei-Ta Chu, National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan
  • Wei Ma, Beijing University of Technology, China
  • Xiaoyan Sun, Microsoft Research of Asia, China
  • Zhu Li, Missouri University, USA
  • Baoqiang Han, China Conservatory of Music, China
  • Xi Shao, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications
  • Ming Zhang, Nanjing Art College
  • Kejun Zhang, Zhejiang University
  • Mei Han, Ping An Technology Art institute

Organizers

Luntian Mou

Beijing University of Technology

Beijing, China

ltmou@bjut.edu.cn

Dr. Luntian Mou is an assistant professor in Beijing University of Technology, where he is the founding director with the Intelligent Transportation and Intelligent Multimedia (ITAIM) research group. His current research interests include intelligent transportation, intelligent multimedia, machine learning and artificial intelligence. He has a research background in multimedia security, copy detection and video fingerprinting. And he serves as the Chair of System subgroup in AVS workgroup in China and IEEE 1857 as well.

Feng Gao

Tsinghua University

Beijing, China

gaofeng2018@tsinghua.edu.cn

Dr. Feng Gao is a postdoc researcher in Tsinghua University. He has long researched in the disciplinary fields of AI and art, especially in AI painting. Currently, he is also enthusiastic in virtual human. He has demonstrated his AI painting system, called Daozi, in several workshops and drawn much attention. In addition, he has hosted an AI Art Summit in May, 2019, and will also present a demo of his AI crafts on this AIArt workshop.

Zijin Li

China Conservatory of Music

Beijing, China

zijin.li@mcgill.ca

Dr. Zijin Li is an associate professor in China Conservatory of Music, She researched in interdisciplinary field of Music Media and Technology. She has been involved with some projects of AI composing, Singing Synthesis, Musical Instrument Design etc. Also she is co-chair of Innovative Instrument Design International Workshop, Chinese Traditional Music Technology session of China Sound and Music Technology Conference(CSMT), China AI music development Symposium, China Musical Instrument Symposium. She served as the chief judge of the New Music Device Invention Award of International "Danny award".

Jiaying Liu

Peking University

Beijing, China

liujiaying@pku.edu.cn

Dr. Jiaying Liu is an associate professor with Wangxuan Institute of Computer Technology, Peking University. Her current research interests include multimedia signal processing, compression, and computer vision. She has served as a member of Multimedia Systems & Applications Technical Committee (MSA-TC), Visual Signal Processing and Communications Technical Committee (VSPC) and Education and Outreach Technical Committee (EO-TC) in IEEE Circuits and Systems Society, a member of the Image, Video, and Multimedia (IVM) Technical Committee in APSIPA. She was the APSIPA Distinguished Lecturer (2016-2017).

Wen-Huang Cheng

National Chiao Tung University

Taiwan

whcheng@nctu.edu.tw

Wen-Huang Cheng is Professor with the Institute of Electronics, National Chiao Tung University (NCTU), Hsinchu, Taiwan, where he is the Director of NCTU AI Graduate program and also Founding Director with the Artificial Intelligence and Multimedia Laboratory (AIMMLab). His current research interests include multimedia, artificial intelligence, computer vision, machine learning, social media, and financial technology. He has actively participated in international events and played important leading roles in prestigious journals and conferences and professional organizations, like Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, General co-chair for ACM ICMR (2021), TPC co-chair for ICME (2020), Chair-Elect for IEEE MSA-TC, governing board member for IAPR. He has received numerous research and service awards, including the 2018 MSRA Collaborative Research Award, the 2018 IEEE ICME Outstanding Reviewer Award, and the 2017 Ta-Yu Wu Memorial Award from Taiwan’s Ministry of Science and Technology (the highest national research honor for young Taiwanese researchers under age 42).

Jian Shu

ART POWER 100&DESIGN POWER 100

Beijing, China

shujian@artpower100.com

Mr. Shu Jian is the former deputy general manager of Beijing Youth Weekly, leading the huge transition of the publication from regional to national. He launched lots of branding projects, such as the “BQ BLANK EXHIBITION”, “BQ CELEBRITY AWARD” etc. From year 2015 till now, he has taken position as director and secretary general of ART POWER, one of the most important art awards founded in year 2006. Meanwhile, he launched the DESIGN POWER, committed to build both ART POWER and DESIGN POWER the most powerful ecological assessment system and resource integration platform in both art and design industries. He is dedicated to promote the integration of technology, education, investment, design and Chinese art. With the cooperation among Zijinshuyuan, Xinhua News Agency, China.com and ART POWER, he has launched the Chinese art, contemporary art and art education promotion project..