Hands-on with AI // Workshop

To expand my knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI), I wanted to focus more on generative AI (GenAI). Recently FITC Toronto hosted an a full day AI workshop with OneMethod at The Combine. This was my 1st time visiting their offices in Toronto, Canada. The Combine vibe was very welcoming and I’m glad we have tech spaces like this, to gather and share experiences with the community.

The focus around GenAI obviously has been polarizing to this point in time. After doing my recent case study on Project ORTIZ I wanted to see and learn more about the tools used in GenAI. That one tool was Midjourney. I was really taken back by the quality of imagery that could be made with a tool like this. It’s very impressive that with prompt engineering, if you are accustomed to the jargon used in filmmaking and photography, it can increase the quality and detail you can generate in seconds.

Afterwards, we participated in a fun game of AI Art Battle where we were given themes and started crafting some prompt engineering on the fly. Having a few beers really expanded the creativity. It was great to hear and learn from other participants of what we all think of AI right now.

I’m not a big advocate in being pro AI, it’s more like I’m dipping my toes in the lake, before I dive into the ocean. It’s easy to drown in all the information and advancements of AI, but if you start learning about it, you can tread water in the ocean.

-JD