THE first celebration of artificial intelligence meeting the arts, featuring an AI robotic pet, AI-inspired stand-up comedy, and live music with AI integration, is coming to Winchester

On June 2, the University of Southampton will host its first AI Arts Festival at The ARC and Theatre Royal Winchester. 

The one-day public event will be split into day and evening sessions, filled with a variety of demonstrations, installations, and performances, such as those from from Ink Gao's AI robotic pet, GUA.

Hampshire Chronicle: Ink Gao's AI robotic pet GUA is one of the projects on display during the festival

Ms Gao, a postgraduate researcher, said: "I'd describe her personality as active, inquisitive, and sometimes aggressive.

"My motivation for designing and building GUA is the potential to replicate real-life pets."

The evening sessions will showcase performances, including a live orchestra collaborating with musical AI machines, stand-up comedy by Ted Hill and Alex Farrow, and Dr Pablo Galaz's 'Human-like' live music and visual installation.

The AI Arts Festival's co-artistic director, Professor Thomas Irvine, said: "I'm so pleased that this exciting new festival has come together like it has.

"There are lots of questions to ask about this technology, but also lots about our humanity it can already show us."

For more information visit aiartsfestival.soton.ac.uk.

Day tickets are free.

Tickets for the evening, which starts at 6pm at Theatre Royal, cost £25, or concessions £15.