"Night-night, sleep tight,
Close your eyes, awaken your mind,
In the wilds of your thoughts, let imagination run free,
Where dreams take flight and wonders can be. "
Whether you are asleep or awake, it is hard for most of us to imagine our lives without dreams. From haunting nightmares and lucid dreams to future aspirations, dreams play a significant role in defining who we are as humans. If you have ever wondered whether your beloved pet dreams while asleep, research suggests that animals such as cats, dogs, and rats exhibit brain activity and behavioral signs indicative of dreaming [1]. But what about machines? Do they also dream?
Using space, nature, marine and archival data, millions of images, artificial intelligence and machine learning, Refik Anadol trains machines to dream. These include the "Machine Hallucination series", "Archive Dreaming — AI Data Sculpture", "Renaissance Dreams: AI Cinema", and "WDCH Dreams".
Not only can we train machines to dream, but machines can also help us dream. The Dreamachine was developed by Brion Gysin and Ian Sommerville in 1959. It uses flickering light to create a vivid visual experience that facilitates dream-like states. A modern version was created in 2022, utilizing an immersive experience. The dreamachine experience can be simulated at home using one of the various online simulators available online [3, 4].
Dream analysis and interpretation have existed since at least 3100 BC [5]. This desire to uncover the hidden meanings behind dreams is evident in the rise of dream interpreters that claim to reveal these meanings using artificial intelligence. It is important to note that dream interpretation differs from oneirology—the scientific study of dreams [6].
Wouldn't it be great to experience your favorite dreams while you are awake? Dream Vortex is a creature designed in a form of your choice (e.g., pillow, plushie) that allows you to voice record your dreams. The data is then processed to create a bespoke immersive dream experience, during which you can relive and optionally share your dreams with the creature or others, or even step into the world of your imagination.