Introducing ‘The Genius’: The First Photographic Portrait of a Living Human Created by Artificial Intelligence
by Tatiana Alexandrova, art director of the Soul of Ukraine International Charitable Foundation
In the realm of photography, the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) has paved the way for a new era of creativity and innovation. Recently, a groundbreaking achievement was made in the field of portraiture, as the first photo portrait of a living human was created by AI. This incredible work of art, titled “Genius,” presents the portrait of Academician Borys Paton and has been hailed as a symbol of the 21st century.
The idea for the portrait was conceived by Sergey Melnikoff, an American photographer-artist who worked with a team of experts to develop a special machine algorithm for the AI to process thousands of Borys Paton’s photos taken throughout his lifetime. The AI was tasked with creating a generalized image of a genius scientist of the 20th and 21st centuries. Working with the initial array of photographs, the “Ashmanov Neural Networks” IT-company from Russia’s Innovation Centre in Skolkovo helped bring the project to fruition.
In the photo: Members of the Soul of Ukraine International Foundation at a party in honor of the 100th anniversary of Borys Paton, and demonstrate the portrait “Genius,” which was created by Artificial Intelligence. Brovary City, 2019
The result of this effort is truly remarkable. The “Genius” portrait is a highly emotional and impressive work of art that emanates an unusual glow typically achieved by means of fine arts handled by people. The portrait is capable of creating a new and multifaceted image of Dr. Borys Paton, depending on the viewer’s attitude towards him or their point of view. Irina Klimova, a Ukrainian artist and arts critic, lauded the AI’s unprecedented abilities, stating that it has managed to create a highly emotional and impressive work that has the potential to become the photography symbol of the 21st century.
Borys Paton, the subject of the portrait, was a legendary Ukrainian scientist who passed away at the age of 101. He was a Professor, the USSR Hero of Socialist Labour (twice), the first Hero of Ukraine, and the President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine from 1962 until 2019. He’s been in charge since 2014 the Trustee Board of the Soul of Ukraine International Charitable Foundation. Paton’s remarkable achievements and contributions to society make him an ideal subject for this portrait, and the AI’s ability to capture the essence of his personality and legacy is a testament to its incredible capabilities.
In conclusion, the “Genius” portrait is a remarkable achievement in the world of photography and artificial intelligence. It serves as a powerful symbol of the potential of AI to revolutionize the field of portraiture, and its ability to capture the essence of a subject is truly awe-inspiring. The portrait of Borys Paton is a testament to his life’s work and achievements, and it stands as a powerful tribute to his legacy. The AI has shown that it is capable of creating works of art that rival those created by human hands, and this achievement opens up exciting possibilities for the future of photography and AI.
In the photo: Tatiana Alexandrova presents the portrait “Genius” at UKRINFORM, the National News Agency of Ukraine. Kyiv, 2019
THE GENIUS PORTRAIT AT THE UKRINFORM PRESENTATION