Overview - Obvious is an art collective using AI to explore new aesthetics and the social implications of the technology [2] - The collective aims to infuse AI art into culture by collaborating with brands and institutions [4] AI Art & Technology - The collective uses self-invented algorithms to create art, sharing discoveries through scientific papers, open-source code, and artistic creations [4] - The company replicated mind-reading technology using fMRIs, generating images from brain activity [7][10] - The company devised a new protocol to capture imagination and create associated images, separating imagination into weak (memory) and strong (new image) components [14] Artistic Approach & Vision - The company draws inspiration from science and integrates it into art [4] - The company made a parallel with the surrealist movement, aiming to shorten the gap between artistic intuition and creation [17][18][19] - The company emphasizes the importance of opening a debate about mind-reading technologies through art, addressing mental privacy concerns [21] Auction Performance - In October 2018, Edmon Bami, an AI-generated artwork, was the first of its kind to be sold in a major auction house for nearly $500,000 [3]