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Next Dila is an Artist and Dreamhacker from Tbilisi, Georgia. In this article, which is the last part of the case study "Robot Dreams: A New Concept" he will introduce us to his thoughts on the future of "Robot Dreams".

By Christian Gjørret

Why do you think a robot should dream, and in which ways do you think that a robot dream is different from the ones human dreams are made of?
My main motivation in this case is a mere curiosity and keen interest, but this also has some practical implications. For example, by modeling various dream theories, we can observe this process from the outside. This will be an interesting creative practice.

As for the differences, of course there will be differences as well as similarities. It depends on what kind of program code we will write. If the robot will be equipped with evolutionary algorithms characterized for the artificial intelligence then it will be able to develop its own unique being.

What are the opportunities for the society in the future if a robot can dream? And in which kind of environments can it be used by humans and robots?
Robot's "dream sociology" will be very interesting and also, if we have a solid database of the dreams that are seen by the people, we will be able to compare those dreams with robot's dreams. We will be able to analyze the common themes, synchronic characters and stories (if such intersections exist).

The modeling of the dreams in robots can be used for an analysis of our own dreams.

Besides this, these dreamer-robots can be involved in the entertainment and video game industry.

The robots' dreams seen in the short periods of times can be transformed into cyber-fields for gamers. We will be able to get into the ever-changing environments of the robot's dreams. This can be turned into a new sphere of games - Imagine a game in which the environment constantly changes, the time is unstable and you know that you are in somebody's dream.

I am sure that if we create and develop such software, there will be more interesting benefits uncovered that we are still unable to see from the narrow perspective of the present time.

Why should this robot dreams concept be realized?
The idea about the robot's dreams has been in the air for a long time. This will excite any sci-fi fans. Also, this is a very intimate theme.

For me it's an amazing art experiment which is trying to merge robotics, digital world, video and net art and dream theories to realize the oldest dream of the sci-fi and to literally "watch" the dreams of a non-human mind.

Also, for me, realization of this concept is the next step to explore the universe in DIY fashion, the way me and my friends call "Cosmonautica 2.0"

Link:
Interview with Next Dila

[image source: Robert Couse-Baker, Ana Alex Tabatadze]
[source: Vive Les Robots!]