It seems that Artificial Intelligence has morphed into the Picassos and Van Goghs of the digital era. From charming chatbots like ChatGPT, which has been rolling out more bells and whistles than a Victorian Christmas tree, to the visual wizardry of Midjourney and Stable Diffusion, the landscape of innovation is akin to an all-you-can-eat buffet of technological gourmet. And yes, your digital taste buds are about to embark on a culinary adventure that would make even the most ambitious Heston Blumenthal dish look like a boiled egg.
Now, in an age where remakes and reboots have become as predictable as Britain’s rain, a new player has entered the ring – no pun intended. We’ve seen AI used to dream up new adaptations of classic tales. Anyone remember the AI version of The Lord of the Rings with the cream of Hollywood’s current crop? Well, hold onto your lembas bread, because we’re stepping things up a notch.
The YouTube channel ‘AI Generated Art’, otherwise known as the Louvre of the cyberspace, has pulled another rabbit out of the hat – and it’s wearing hobbit-sized boots. Fancy The Lord of the Rings as an anime series from the golden era of the eighties? Well, your wish has just been granted by our digital genie, Midjourney.
The artwork could give Studio Ghibli and Dragon Ball a run for their money, showcasing sketches so sublime you’ll forget they were created by a machine. The pantheon of characters to get the anime makeover includes Frodo, Gandalf, Gollum, Sauron, Legolas, Gimli, Saruman, Witch-Kink, Galadriel, Elrond, Aragorn, and Sam. Picture it: the whole Fellowship and company on a fantastical tour through a universe crafted by an AI Picasso. I think I’ve seen everything now.
There’s no denying the digital doors opened by Midjourney and its fellow AI magicians. The extent of their capabilities makes your average rabbit hole seem about as exciting as a garden pond. And in this case, dear readers, the proof really is in the anime-inspired pudding.
