AI to Resurrect Brian Sewell's Articles and Reviews?

September 26 2024

Video: Web of Stories

Posted by Adam Busiakiewicz:

The Evening Standard became headline news yesterday for the announcement that it will be resurrecting the late and greatly-missed Brian Sewell's art reviews with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The plan, which will apparently appear in today's paper, has the backing from the late critic's estate.

To quote the article linked above:

The Standard’s interim chief executive, Paul Kanareck, said the edition would have multiple features on AI and London’s role as a hub for the technology. “The London Standard is a bold and disruptive new publication,” he said. “It includes an experimental AI review by our legendary critic Brian Sewell, and his estate are delighted.” [...]

The Standard did not confirm how it would recreate Sewell’s distinctive style – he once wrote that Banksy “should have been put down at birth” – but chatbots can be prompted to produce work in the style of different writers. When prompted by the Guardian on Wednesday, the ChatGPT chatbot produced a faux-article on Vincent van Gogh written in a rough approximation of Sewell’s style.

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An interesting experiment, perhaps. Although, I fear it will only shine a light on AI's inadequacies rather than its strengths. Here's a short clip of Sewell discussing his own his reputation in this sphere. I recommend watching the whole series which is on YouTube, if you ever find the time!

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