Summary

Rather than focusing on a particular research project, the presentation will propose an overview of some past and current works of the Metacreation, Agents and MultiAgent Systems laboratory (MAMAS). Covering both artificial intelligence and computational creativity, the goal of the colloquium is to inform the attendees (whether they are research students or faculty) of current research directions and trigger potential interactions.

As Minsky stated in 1963, artificial intelligence is the science of making “machines do things that would require intelligence if done by [humans]”. Moving beyond strictly intelligent or rational tasks, computational creativity or metacreation is a new field devoted to endow machines with creative behavior. In a first part, scientific research projects conducted in the field of autonomous agents and multi-agent systems (MAS) will be introduced. In a second part, some recent realizations in interactive and generative arts will exemplify the idea of metacreation and form the ground for further discussions.

Biography

PHILIPPE PASQUIER - After studying computer science, artificial intelligence and cognitive sciences in France, Belgium, Canada and Australia, Philippe Pasquier joined Simon Fraser University's School of Interactive Arts and Technology in January 2008 as an assistant professor. Philippe Pasquier is both a scientist specialized in artificial intelligence and a multi-disciplinary artist.

As a scientist, his work has focused on the development of models and tools for endowing machines with autonomous, intelligent or creative behavior. Contributions vary from theoretical research in artificial agent theories to applied research in computational creativity and generative music. Philippe has authored and co-authored over 70 peer reviewed academic papers, which gathered 5 best paper awards. He is directing the Metacreation, Agent and MultiAgent Systems laboratory and is a member of ACM, IEEE and of the Cognitive Sciences Society.

As an artist, he has been acting as a performer, sound designer, composer, producer, jury, committee member and teacher in many different contexts. He is serving or has served as a member or administrator of several artistic collectives (Robonom, Phylm, MIJI dance company), art centers (Avatar, Bus Gallery, the Surrey Art Gallery) and artistic organizations (P: Media art, Machines, Vancouver New Music) in Europe, Canada and Australia.

His work has been shown internationally and funded and supported by more than 20 scientific and or cultural institutions including the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, the Canada Council for the Arts, the French Ministère de la Culture et de la Communication, the European Community's Culture Program, the Australian Research Council and the Australian Council for the Arts.

Philippe Pasquier's Website

Metacreation