What distinguishes ALife (Artificial Life) from AI? Why can't ALife still become life? This talk aims to explore these questions in light of recent developments in ALIFE. ALIFE is an academic field that questions the nature of life itself. Consider a thought experiment: two sealed jars contain water, fish eggs, and seeds of aquatic plants. These jars are placed where they can receive adequate sunlight. However, in one jar, the DNA sequences of the fish eggs and plant seeds are randomly altered. As a result, one jar develops a healthy ecosystem, while the other turns into a black sludge. This suggests that life may be a matter of information or computation. With the advent of Large Language Models (LLMs), it feels as if anyone can write code. Is the world made of code? In a 2016 interview, Zach Lieberman (who developed the project of open Frameworks and a founder of SFPC) stated, "Art science is a dialogue between different fields, often artificially divided by institutions like universities. It involves both the art of the mind and the science necessary for essential research, expanding our understanding of human existence and the meaning of modern life. If we can better understand the world we live in now, we can imagine and build a better future." ALIFE embodies the best of both science and art, expanding our understanding.
10:30 AM
January 24, 2024
