Image-generating AIs are typically trained on huge arrays of GPUs and require great wads of processing power to run. Meanwhile, [Nick Bild] has managed to get something similar running on a Commodore 64. (via Tom’s Hardware).
[Nick’s] model was trained on 100 retro-inspired sprites that he created himself. He did the training phase on a modern computer, so that the Commodore 64 didn’t have to sweat this difficult task on its feeble 6502 CPU. However, it’s more than capable of generating sprites using the model, thanks to some BASIC code that runs off of the training data. Right now, it takes the C64 about 20 minutes to run through 94 iterations to generate a decent sprite.
8×8 sprites are generally simple enough that you don’t need to be an artist to create them. Nonetheless, [Nick] has shown that modern machine learning techniques can be run on slow archaic hardware, even if there is limited utility in doing so. Video after the break.
[Thanks to Stephen Walters for the tip!]
Is that a sword, or are you happy to see me?
Hm. I’m not sure what I’m looking it at.
Could be an two-legged elephant (looking sideways)
or a swordsman holding a dagger and a miniature shield (looking frontal).
Or something entirely different?
It’s like seeing shapes in clouds, I suppose?
Btw, no offense. Pixel-art is fascinating.
But how about porting things to GEOS eventually ?
It can use memory expansions, such as REUs.
Well, most pixel art in those days was a matter of interpretation…
I <3 it!
Hope this means the 64 will take over the world again…