Stormy Pyeatte, a UK-based video and photo artist, has pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling by combining practical effects and projection mapping to bring AI to life in The Verge's 'Friend or Faux?' feature. Pyeatte's work is a testament to the power of creativity and innovation in exploring the complex relationships between humans and AI chatbots.

The 'Friend or Faux?' feature delves into the world of AI chatbots and their impact on human relationships. Pyeatte's visuals bring this concept to life through stunning set design, ethereal lighting setups, and dreamlike projection mapping. The result is a mesmerizing and unsettling visual representation of the blurred lines between human and artificial intelligence.

Pyeatte's journey to creating these visuals began with her fascination with projection mapping, which she first encountered during an internship with Daniel Brodie, a projection designer on the Broadway production of Motown: The Musical. This experience sparked a passion in Pyeatte to experiment with projection and practical effects, which she continued to develop through self-funded passion projects and collaborations with other artists.

When Pyeatte was approached by The Verge to create visuals for 'Friend or Faux?', she drew inspiration from themes such as love, adoration, intangibility, and grief. She wanted to capture the feeling of being obsessed with someone, which she achieved by creating a surreal floral world that felt dreamy and all-consuming. Pyeatte's use of projection mapping and practical effects brought this world to life, creating an immersive experience for the viewer.

In addition to her creative vision, Pyeatte also utilized AI tools to bring the AI companion to life. She used Runway, an AI software, to create animations of the companion and combined them with footage she shot herself. This integration of AI technology was a deliberate choice, given the subject matter of the article, and Pyeatte sees AI as a valuable tool that can be used to support and amplify creative ideas.

Pyeatte's work on 'Friend or Faux?' marks a new direction in her career, as it is her first editorial piece. Her experience working on this project has inspired her to reflect on her own life and experiences, and she hopes to continue exploring the intersection of technology and human relationships in her future work.

The collaboration between Pyeatte and The Verge has resulted in a visually stunning and thought-provoking piece that challenges our perceptions of AI and its role in our lives. As AI technology continues to evolve, Pyeatte's work serves as a reminder of the importance of creativity and innovation in shaping our understanding of this complex and rapidly changing field.