AI Art Challenge for Middle School: DALLE 3 and Original Art

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AI Art Challenge: Merging Creativity with Technology

Are you an art teacher looking to introduce a modern twist to your curriculum? Perhaps you’re guiding our high ability learners or gifted students and seeking innovative challenges for them? Or maybe you’re a computer science teacher eager to showcase the wonders of Artificial Intelligence? If so, the AI Art Challenge using DALLE 3 and other tools is perfect for you and your students!

Student using DALLE 3 to generate AI Art

AI Art Ethics: A Thoughtful Discussion

First, it’s essential to touch upon the ethics of AI Art. Engage your students in discussions about:

  • The originality of AI-generated art.
  • The implications of AI recreating copyrighted artworks.
  • The balance between human creativity and machine-generated content.

Of course, these conversations will not only deepen their understanding of AI but also instill a sense of responsibility and ethics in their digital interactions.

Using DALLE 3 and ChatGPT with Students

Additionally, it’s essential to note the age restrictions in place. The terms of service for ChatGPT and DallE 3 require users to be 18 or older. Therefore, it’s crucial to obtain parental consent before allowing students under 18 to sign up. Students under 13 are not permitted to have accounts.

For a safer, age-compliant alternative, platforms like Adobe Creative Cloud Express/Adobe Firefly or Canva are excellent choices. These tools, which are COPPA compliant, also harness AI for art generation, providing a secure environment for our younger learners to explore the AI art landscape. Students can also use Byte as a ChatGPT alternative. Students do not need to login or provide personal information to use this tool.

How does AI Art Work?

Next, the mechanism behind AI art generation is a blend of machine learning algorithms, primarily neural networks, and colossal datasets of existing art. Here’s a simplified breakdown of how AI art generators, like DallE 3, spin magic:

Training:

Initially, the neural network is trained on a vast dataset of existing artworks. This training phase allows the network to learn and understand various artistic styles, elements, and techniques.

Learning Patterns:

During training, the AI identifies patterns, textures, colors, and other artistic elements. It starts recognizing what combinations and styles make a visually appealing piece.

Generation:

Post training, when you provide a text prompt, the AI taps into the learned patterns and starts generating new, original artworks based on the text description. For example, a prompt like “a serene sunset over a bustling city” could lead to an artwork showcasing a calm sunset sky contrasting with the lively city below.

DALLE 3 a serene sunset over a bustling city

Refinement:

Some AI art generators also have a feedback loop, allowing for refinement. If possible, users or other algorithms can provide feedback, helping the AI to fine-tune the generated artwork.

Integrating this process into classroom activities can spark enlightening discussions and experiments. For instance, students could provide various prompts to DallE 3 and observe how different textual descriptions lead to different visual outcomes. It’s a hands-on way to explore the intersection of technology, language, and art.

Original Art vs. AI Art: A Classroom Activity

After discussing AI Art and AI generative-text ethics with my students, we tried an AI art activity. This activity focuses on prompt generation. Overall, my students learned how to prompt AI but also how AI art did not always convey what their own original art could.

Original Art Creation

Start with a fun classroom activity. First, ask your students to create an artwork based on a chosen prompt. Help them generate the prompt using the tips later in this post. Whether it’s sketching, painting, or digital art, let them explore their creativity. Document their masterpieces for a classroom gallery.

You’ll want to have art materials available. Of course, you can use simple tools like colored pencils, crayons, and markers with plain white paper, or you can add acrylic paints, pastels, and even canvases. It’s open for all budgets and classrooms!

Generating AI Art

Introduce them to platforms like Canva or Adobe Firefly through Adobe CC Express. These are student-friendly platforms that many schools already have access to for all students.

Here, they can generate AI art based on the same prompt they used for their original artwork. It’s a fantastic way to show them how Artificial Intelligence, like DallE 3, interprets and visualizes concepts. Compare the AI-generated pieces with their original creations and spark discussions!

Crafting the Perfect AI Art Prompt with ChatGPT and DALLE 3

Guiding students to create prompts for AI art can be both challenging and rewarding. If they are stuck on a prompt, have them ask ChatGPT to help generate an AI prompt.

Share these tips with them:

Be Specific

Encourage detailed descriptions for clearer AI interpretations.

Digital illustration of a futuristic city at dusk. The skyline is dominated by towering skyscrapers made of translucent glass, reflecting hues of purple and gold from the setting sun. Elevated trains glide smoothly above the streets, leaving trails of neon lights. Beneath, diverse pedestrians walk on streets illuminated by holographic advertisements and trees with bioluminescent leaves. In the center, a large plaza with a shimmering water fountain acts as a gathering point for people and floating robots DALLE 3

Digital illustration of a futuristic city at dusk. The skyline is dominated by towering skyscrapers made of translucent glass, reflecting hues of purple and gold from the setting sun. Elevated trains glide smoothly above the streets, leaving trails of neon lights. Beneath, diverse pedestrians walk on streets illuminated by holographic advertisements and trees with bioluminescent leaves. In the center, a large plaza with a shimmering water fountain acts as a gathering point for people and floating robots.

Color Prompt

Suggest vibrant color combinations, like blue and orange, for dynamic results.

Illustration of an abstract art piece that juxtaposes vibrant blue and orange colors. The blue resembles a deep ocean wave crashing, and the orange looks like a fiery sunset. The two colors meet and intertwine in the middle, creating a dynamic interplay. DALLE 3

Illustration of an abstract art piece that juxtaposes vibrant blue and orange colors. The blue resembles a deep ocean wave crashing, and the orange looks like a fiery sunset. The two colors meet and intertwine in the middle, creating a dynamic interplay.

 

Artist Influence Prompt

Introduce them to artists and inspire them to incorporate elements of symbolism.

Watercolor painting capturing the essence of surrealism with unexpected and bizarre elements. A cityscape is seen in the background, but the buildings are made of feathers and clouds. In the foreground, a pair of large hands releases a flock of birds that transform into musical notes as they soar into the sky. DALLE 3

Watercolor painting capturing the essence of surrealism with unexpected and bizarre elements. A cityscape is seen in the background, but the buildings are made of feathers and clouds. In the foreground, a pair of large hands releases a flock of birds that transform into musical notes as they soar into the sky.

Medium Prompt

Let them experiment with various media, blending traditional and digital techniques.

Mixed media art piece that combines elements from various artistic mediums. The base layer is a canvas painted with bold watercolors, depicting a serene lakeside scene. Overlaid on this are digital pixel art elements of birds and clouds. Intertwined with these are hand-drawn charcoal sketches of tall trees and abstract shapes. Finally, collaged onto the canvas are cut-out photographs of people from different descents, laughing and enjoying a day by the lake, adding depth and texture to the composition. DALLE 3

Mixed media art piece that combines elements from various artistic mediums. The base layer is a canvas painted with bold watercolors, depicting a serene lakeside scene. Overlaid on this are digital pixel art elements of birds and clouds. Intertwined with these are hand-drawn charcoal sketches of tall trees and abstract shapes. Finally, collaged onto the canvas are cut-out photographs of people from different descents, laughing and enjoying a day by the lake, adding depth and texture to the composition.

 

Reflection and Classroom Showcase

After the activity, host a classroom showcase. Let students present their artworks, share their experiences, and discuss the differences between their creations and the AI interpretations. I love having students vote on their favorites including best AI prompt, best AI artwork, and best original artwork.

Join the AI Art Revolution in Education!

Ready to bring this innovative challenge to your classroom? Sign up now to receive detailed lesson plans and handouts tailored for middle schoolers. Equip yourself with resources that will inspire and engage your students in the world of AI Art.

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Embrace the future of art and technology in your classroom. Dive into the AI Art Challenge and watch your students’ creativity soar to new heights.

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