Conflicts is an experimental and generative multi-media artwork exploring the nature of human connection and conflict. Through surveys, conversations, and the real-time simulation of conversational AI NPCs, Mital navigates past interpersonal conflicts within an entirely generated conversation of battling NPCs, inviting his exes to join in the part debacle/part therapeutic pursuit.
Set in a simulated city based on downtown Los Angeles, the GPT-powered avatars are designed via relationship exit-surveys set to hash it out in an endless generation of simulated conflict. The artwork explores the capacity for AI to realize and personify real world identities in an increasingly tracked and digitized world. It further asks whether simulated agents could ever aid in therapeutic intervention through generative role playing.
Technical Development
“Conflicts” utilizes a bespoke conversational pipeline that allows two large language models to interact with one another inside of Unreal Engine. The “backend” of this system pulls information from a Google Form which either character in the simulation has previously filled in.
This form data indicates various character traits and information about the person as well as their opinions and views on the other person. Then, data is connected to a custom-made Metahuman avatar in Unreal Engine.
Worldbuilding
The digital world where NPC conversations happen is an entirely generative environment, based on Downtown Los Angeles and modeled from Epic Games’ simulation city. When you “press play” on the environment, NPC characters, traffic, and crowds all interact autonomously. Each simulation is unique, with every conversation and interaction playing out differently.
Seperate from the digital environment, there are also real-world conversations, interviews, and prototypes from Mital’s Glassell Park home and studio, over the phone, and via text message.
Gazell.io Residency
Mital was selected by Gazelli Art House as the August 2024 Resident. During the course of his residency, Mital showed various WIP shots, concept images and videos, and first looks at “Conflicts.”
The residency culminated in the release of a series of generative video artworks from the project, which could be purchased directly from Gazelli Art House.