[UW-GIS-L] Announcement: Winners of the GeoAI Prompt Contest

[Bo Zhao]

Hello everyone,

We are thrilled to announce the results of our recent GeoAI prompt contest,
a remarkable event that witnessed wide participation from the University of
Washington community. This year, we received a total of 56 submissions,
featuring an array of artworks from undergraduate students, graduate
students, staff, and faculty members. *By harnessing generative Artificial
Intelligence, the contest fosters deep reflection and artistic expression
concerning pressing issues such as climate change, food security, social
and economic inequality, globalization, and more. *

Organizing and judging an AI art contest presents unique challenges, given
the complexity and depth of each piece. The artworks submitted were not
only visually stunning but also carried profound meanings, making the
selection process incredibly difficult. Our panel of judges, composed of
undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty with
expertise in Geography, GIS and AI, meticulously evaluated each submission.
They based their decisions on a range of criteria, including Originality,
Relevance to Theme, Artistic Expression, Technical Proficiency, and
Emotional Impact & Message Conveyance. It’s important to acknowledge that
art is subjective, and each judge brought their own preferences and biases
to the table. However, after careful consideration and spirited discussion,
we have identified the top three winners and 20 honorable mentions


*1st Place - Buy Now, Get Newer - Tomorrow. Worry-Free Returns.*[image:
1.jpeg]

By *Michael Lieue* using Bing Image Creator. *Prompt: *In hyperrealism
style, heap of Factories labeled “fast fashion inc.” and “new stuff,”
churning mountains of consumable which delivered by huge airplane, rockets,
ships, trains, and lined trucks congesting highway to landfill. All
buildings and vehicles produce smoke. Tents next to landfill. Digital
billboards and trucks show “don’t fix.” “New now!” and, “One day deliver!”
“Own today!” “Trending!” orange smog and seawater.

*Description: *Humanity’s supply chain struggles keeping pace with the
latest iteration of the globalized e-commerce economy. Digitized
advertisements further our insatiable demand for latest products and
doorstep delivery convenience - in turn flooding our skies, oceans, and
landscape with energy-intensive logistics traffic - while simultaneously
accelerating the rate at which formerly-trendy products are disposed. The
carbon-intensive factories and retailers produce economic growth which is
irresistible to society as a means of increasing wealth and
representation…which is in reality, distributed with inequality. While
wealth allows the corporate to “find higher ground” away from the rising
and polluted waters with international mobility of titanic proportions, the
majority of individuals across all species must settle in the wash zone
created by climate change. The relatively few tents in scene illustrate the
growing phenomenon of corporate land-grab for real estate purposes, and
full time employees being paid less than a living wage. The conveyed
informational power of an image is beyond words, and in this case, I hope
to give the reader a detailed view of the actual consequences of using
one-day delivery to keep up with online trends while fully understanding
the challenge it takes for and individual to complete the challenge of
leading by example of resisting the trend and allures of buying newness.

*Judges’ Comments: *this artwork is a compelling and impactful
visualization of the current issues of overconsumption and the
environmental impacts of our global supply chain. The intricate details and
the overwhelming representation of the supply chain, from factories to
landfills, brilliantly illustrate the unsustainable pace of our consumerist
lifestyle. The dark humor embedded in the title and the imagery, as well as
the choice to overcrowd the scene, powerfully conveys the pressing nature
of these issues.


*2nd Place - Modern Loneliness*[image: 2.jpeg]

By *Logan Hosoda* using Bing Image Creator. *Prompt:* never ending
relapsing addiction to technology, photorealism

*Description: *I wanted to create an image that depicts how technology,
while innovative has also led to social isolation, digital addiction, and
sedentary behaviors. As someone who experienced an increase in technology
reliance throughout the introduction to cellular devices and global
pandemic, I thought it was important to convey that technological addiction
often detracts from everyday routines. I hope that when others view the
image they stop and reflect on their own usage of technology, serving as a
reminder to look at life beyond the screen.

*Judges’ Comments:*This entry compellingly captures the paradox of our
digital era. Its photorealistic portrayal of technology addiction and
social isolation resonates deeply, reflecting a universal challenge of the
modern world. This artwork, with its evocative and visually striking
composition, effectively invites viewers to contemplate the impact of
digital life on our daily existence.

*3rd Place - A Detached Glimpse*

[image: 3.jpeg]

By *Paula Zhong *using Bing Image Creator. *Prompt: *tiny cartoon human
trapped in glass box with bright screen glaring into glass box, box in vast
room full of looming news headlines and stacks of newspapers and walls of
text, disconcerting

*Description:* Viewing the world solely through the words and perspectives
of other people is limiting if there is no balance with our own thought.
When there are heavy events happening around the world, I feel there can be
a lack of empathy and humanity in our responses to them. A disconnect.
Headlines and breaking news stories blare at us and regarding events from
afar makes it easy to be detached and apathetic.

*Judges’ Comments:* We are impressed by this artwork for its powerful
visual narrative and its relevance to the theme of information overload in
our digital age. This piece brilliantly encapsulates the paradox of our
times: being bombarded with information while feeling increasingly
detached. It serves as a poignant reminder of the need for empathy in our
responses to global events, making it a deserving recipient of third place
in the contest.

You can visit either the UW Geography Department page
<https://geography.washington.edu/news/2023/11/16/announcement-winners-geoai-prompt-contest>
or this github page <https://jakobzhao.github.io/uwgeoaiprompt/> to view
the artworks from the 20 honorable mentions.

*Acknowledgements: *We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many
individuals and organizations that made this event possible. Firstly, we
would like to acknowledge the invaluable support from the University of
Washington Department of Geography, UW eScience Institute, and Urban at UW.
Their contributions were pivotal in bringing this contest to fruition. A
special thank you to GeoDat and the geography department for their
collaborative efforts in organizing this event. Their dedication and hard
work were key to its success.

We are immensely grateful to geography staff members Nell Gross, Emily
Uematsu, Lindsay Cael, Lisa Sturdivant and Parwati Martin for their
exceptional coordination and organizational skills. Their commitment and
attention to detail were instrumental in ensuring a smooth and successful
contest. Our thanks also go to Jayden Fenske, Akshay K. Mehra, Emma
Esteban, Liz Peng, Gunwha Oh, Michael Brown, Sarah Elwood, Sarah A. Stone,
Jen Davison, Chloe Abrahams, and Andres S. Rovalo. Each of you has played a
crucial role, and your contributions have been vital to the success of this
event.
-- 
Bo Zhao (he/him)
Associate Professor in Geography
University of Washington - Seattle
Smith Hall 412e, Box 353550
(206) 685-3846 | hgis.uw.edu
Request an appointment <https://calendar.app.google/rHuCQywhRX7LvUqC6>
*The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast **Salish people of
this land, the land which touches the **shared waters of all tribes and
bands within the Suqua**mish, Tulalip, and Muckleshoot nations.*
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