ICCC Workshop
Building on the success of the ICCC 2021 Therapeutic Computational Creativity tutorial, we propose a Therapeutic Computational Creativity workshop for ICCC 2022 to delve deeper into this exciting new domain.
Kramer coined the term `third hand’ as a metaphor to describe part of the job of an art therapist. This is a “hand that helps
the creative process along without being intrusive, without distorting meaning or imposing pictorial ideas or preferences alien to the
client” (Kramer, 1986). In this workshop, we consider what happens if the `third hand’ is a metaphorical `robot arm’? What if CC systems could assist in the therapeutic process?
Therapeutic Computational Creativity is an emerging domain that offers the opportunity to apply CC methodology for wellness and mental health. A central aim of mental health therapy is to enable people to be aware of and integrate their emotions into a positive framework. The promise of Therapeutic Computational Creativity rests on the capability of CC systems to engage individuals in creative artistic processes, which are known to facilitate the recognition and integration of challenging emotions into a more positive psychological state.
Art and music therapy have repeatedly been demonstrated to have this therapeutic value of the creative process. Positive, provable therapeutic benefits have been reported for a wide range of conditions including PTSD, anxiety, dementia, depression, and bereavement. Therapeutic Computational Creativity may integrate into the therapy room, as well as offer therapeutic value in scalable form.
This tutorial will:
Introduce Therapeutic CC and share some progress in the field, based on the art therapy notion of a “third hand”
Invite participants to experiment with Computational Creativity systems from a therapeutic standpoint. Both individual and group exercises will be included
Hold a discussion on opportunities in Therapeutic CC. The following questions will be discussed with the community:
Can we automate the “third hand”? What are the benefits and risks of doing so?
Where do we see the most promising applications of CC methodology with therapeutic contexts?
What role can framing and authenticity in CC systems play in Therapeutic CC?
Organizers
Maya Ackerman
Dr. Ackerman is a Computational Creativity and ML researcher, named “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal. Dr. Ackerman is a professor of AI at Santa Clara University, as well as an opera singer and music producer. She is also the CEO/Co-Founder of musical AI startup, WaveAI.
Interviews with Dr. Ackerman appear on NBC News, New Scientist, Grammy.com, and international television stations across the globe. A sought-after speaker, she appeared on many top stages, including the United Nations, IBM Research, and Stanford University. Dr. Ackerman earned her PhD in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo, and held Postdoctoral Fellowships at Caltech and UC San Diego.
Alison Pease
Dr Pease is a senior lecturer in the Centre for Argument Technology at the University of Dundee. She has worked on Computational Creativity
for over 20 years, specialising in mathematical creativity and in theoretical and methodological issues. She also researches collaboration on mathematical research in hybrid human-machine environments, and ways in which computers can support physical,
social, cognitive and mental well-being.
Dr. Pease earned her PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the University of Edinburgh, and held postdoctoral positions at the
University of Edinburgh; Imperial College London; Goldsmiths, University of London and Queen Mary University of London.
Program Description
The program will begin with a brief introduction to Therapeutic Computational Creativity, inspired by the notion of the `third hand’ in Art Therapy, and sharing novel findings in this emerging field. The participants will then have a chance to engage with a selection of computational creativity systems, approached from a therapeutic lens. Both individual and group activities will be included. Participants will subsequently be invited to share their experiences interacting with the system and a discussion on opportunities and new directions in Therapeutic Computational Creativity will be held.
Room requirement: Projector
The attendees need access to the web. Access to a desktop and mobile device is recommended. No prior knowledge or experience is needed.