A Program Learns Oriental Ink Painting

mikejuk writes about a neat use of machine learning. From the article: "Using reinforcement learning to make a computer paint like an oriental Sumi-e artist isn't just a matter of shouting 'well done' — and yet, when you look at the results, that's what you want to do. ... Three researchers at the Tokyo Institute of Technology have attempted to teach a computer how to do it [paint] using standard reinforcement learning. When the program used the brush to create a smooth stroke, it was rewarded. After it had learned to use the brush, it was set to rendering some photos and the results look very good."

Natural progression.

[Anonymous Coward]

Oriental painters work for rice cakes and undercut western painters. Computer program works for electricity and undercuts Oriental painters. Oriental engineers design and build computer. Cycle is complete - no westerners needed.

Re:It was rewarded...

[Anonymous Coward]

...what was the reward? Human flesh?

Nah.
It got a byte to eat.