To broaden students' perspectives in the interdisciplinary field of artificial intelligence and artistic creation, and to deepen their understanding of cutting-edge developments in the integration of art and science, the Faculty of Innovation and Design recently invited Professor Chen Guohui, a PhD supervisor from the City University of Macau, to deliver a special lecture titled "AI-Enabled Art-Science Integration Practice". Professor Chen shared insights combining his extensive practical experience and theoretical achievements in human-computer collaborative art, offering a presentation that balanced technical vision with humanistic reflection, which attracted numerous interested faculty staffs and students.

Professor Chen Guohui earned his doctoral degree from the Chinese National Academy of Arts. He currently serves as a PhD supervisor at the City University of Macau, an Associate Professor at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Director of the Oil Painting Theory and Creation Center, and holds roles as a doctoral or master's supervisor at several institutions. He is also the Vice President of the Hong Kong Bauhinia Art Research Institute and a QS World University Rankings subject expert for Arts disciplines. He has long been dedicated to research on the innovative integration of art and science and related theoretical criticism.
 

During the lecture, Professor Chen explained that artificial intelligence, through technologies such as machine learning and deep learning, can analyze vast datasets to identify design patterns and trends, thereby offering new perspectives and methodological support for creative ideation. He illustrated with examples that how AI can quickly generate patterns in various styles, diverse textures, and countless color combinations, assisting designers in efficiently exploring unique visual languages and significantly expanding creative boundaries.

Focusing on the core theme of "AI as a Collaborative Partner," Professor Chen systematically elaborated on the transformation of artistic creation methods within the context of human-computer synergy. He emphasized that contemporary art is transitioning from a traditional model centered on "craftsmanship" to a new paradigm driven by "creativity and human-computer co-creation". Addressing the issue of "subjectivity," he pointed out that AI should not be viewed merely as a tool, but rather as a responsive "interlocutor". True integration of art and science, he noted, manifests in the continuous interactive process of "questioning - adjusting - regenerating" between the artist and AI, with the artist's aesthetic direction and creative intent remaining central to the work.
 

Regarding the question of "why hand-drawing remains necessary after AI generates images", Professor Chen introduced the concept of "from generation to generative power". He argued that while AI can liberate the creator's "brain"—the conceptual aspect—it cannot replace the involvement of the "heart" in artistic practice, namely emotional investment and physical experience. By reworking AI-generated images through hand-drawing, artists introduce irreplicable materiality and serendipity through material transformation, thereby reestablishing a spiritual connection to the creative process.

Professor Chen further emphasized that AIGC is fostering innovative integration across media. By merging text, images, music, and video, AIGC elevates information dissemination to new heights. He summarized: "The visual impact of imagery, the emotional resonance of music, and the narrative tension of video collectively construct a compelling information landscape", adding that this technologically driven creativity will continue to inspire artistic thinking and advance the evolution of the art and design fields.

Lastly, Professor Chen guided faculty and students in considering boundary issues in human-computer collaboration, such as "style borrowing" and "work originality". He stressed that in the process of deep integration between art and technology, technological breakthroughs alone are insufficient; active participation in establishing industry standards and ethical consensus is essential to foster a healthy and orderly development ecosystem for human-computer collaboration.
 

The lecture received widespread positive feedback among attendees. Students expressed that it not only enhanced their systematic understanding of the technical logic and creative potential of AI art but also prompted deeper reflection on issues of subjectivity, the value of manual craftsmanship, and technology ethics. It inspired their interest in exploring the integration of technology and humanities in future cross-media creative endeavors.

This lecture provided valuable insights for the college's promotion of "New Art Disciplines" and the advancement of cross-integration between art and technology. It established a platform for dialogue between faculty, students, and cutting-edge practices, while encouraging everyone to remain mindful of the intrinsic value of art and the significance of human agency amidst ongoing technological advancements.

Writtern by Jia Xiting