FAQ: Frequent Artist Questions
Some common questions (and answers) related to AMI’s funding and mentorship opportunities for artists and faculty researchers.
Getting Started
What is AMI? Artists + Machine Intelligence was founded in 2016 by Blaise Aguera y Arcas at Google Research. Our mission is to build and sustain a field of creative practitioners working with machine learning. We work closely with teams across Google to support the research, development and production of ambitious ML-focused artworks. The program is co-led by Kenric Allado-McDowell (since 2016) and Eva Kozanecka (since 2018).
What are AMI Grants? In 2019, AMI, together with Google Arts & Culture, launched an open call to support six artists working with machine learning with technical mentorship, core Google research, and funding. Artists worked with Google creative technologists to develop and produce artworks over the course of a five-month period. Learn more about the 2020–2021 residency at g.co/artistsmeetai. This program is currently on pause.
What types of projects do you support? In 2023, we are supporting higher education faculty pursuing arts and social science research related to machine learning (ML) and its implications on society with unrestricted funding as part of Google’s Research Awards. A new cycle of funding will re-open in June 2023. Learn more about AMI Research Awards.
Artist Programs
I am an artist developing a project with AI technologies. How do I apply for funding? At the moment, we are not accepting unsolicited applications for artist project funding. Artists who are higher education faculty at a nonprofit institution may apply for AMI Research Awards.
Do you accept applications from outside of the U.S.? We develop projects with artists and faculty around the world. At the moment, we are not accepting unsolicited applications for artist project funding. In general, artists and faculty must be over 18 years old. Google employees and their family members, and residents of OFAC embargoed countries are not eligible to apply.
Do artists retain all rights in their artwork? Yes, as part of AMI’s sponsorship agreement, artists retain all rights to their artwork. An artwork may include the output of a machine learning model, but does not include the software or machine learning model used to create the art.
May I apply with collaborators? Yes, artists and higher education faculty are eligible to apply with collaborators or co-investigators.
Can I submit multiple projects? No, we ask artists and faculty to only submit one application per open call and/or application cycle.
Can I reapply if not chosen for funding? You may apply with the same project from a previous round if your project has progressed. Please reference the current application and update your submission accordingly.
Can I discuss my project with AMI before applying? We are happy to answer any specific questions you have via email. We encourage you to apply if you believe you meet the criteria.
Tools and Resources
I’m an artist starting to experiment with machine learning. How do I start? AI Experiments is a showcase for simple experiments that make it easier for anyone to start exploring machine learning, through pictures, drawings, language, music, and more. You can also check out AI Test Kitchen, an app where people can learn about, experience, and give feedback on Google’s emerging AI technology, or read the latest research from Google on the Google AI blog.
I’m an educator and want to use AI tools in my classroom, where do I start? There are a few curriculums that teachers have made, like Blakeley Payne’s AI Ethics curriculum for middle schoolers, plus tools like Teachable Machine, which lets you train a computer to recognize your own images, sounds, & poses, and Mood Board Search, which lets you train a computer to recognize a visual concept.
Where can I learn more about art and engineering collaborations? AMI launched in 2016 on the 50th anniversary of Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T.)’s 9 Evenings: Theater and Engineering event, a historic collaboration between artists and engineers from Bell Labs. The interdisciplinary collective was set up by engineers Billy Klüver and Fred Waldhauer and artists Robert Rauschenberg and Robert Whitman. Learn more about E.A.T.
What’s the best way to stay in touch? Follow us on Medium or Twitter for the latest news, announcements and open-source releases.
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Have a question that’s not answered in the FAQ? Our team is made up of thought leaders, UX strategists, researchers, and technologists who deliver strategic insights, advice, ideas, and prototypes. We’re excited to help answer your questions, simply email us at artwithmi@google.com
