Thinking Outside The Machine Project

As we explore Artificial Intelligence, one thing is increasingly apparent: the rise of AI-generated digital art reflects the ongoing convergence of art, technology, and science, and the potential for these fields to create new forms of expression and innovation.

However, while AI-generated art can be impressive and aesthetically pleasing, it lacks the consciousness, emotion, subjectivity, originality, unpredictability, and spontaneity inherent to human artistic creations. To illustrate this idea, each student created an artwork (image on top) based on their chosen prompt (posted in the middle), and then Midjourney’s interpretation of the same prompt was at the bottom.

Natalie B.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9
Openart Render of Natalie’s Prompt
Benjamin C.

In the alley, in the back
In the center of this room
With the windows rolled down
Boy, don’t make me choose
In the alley, in the back
In the center of this room
With the windows rolled down
Boy, don′t make me choose

Sports Car by Tate McRae
ChatGPT Render of Ben’s Prompt
Kristen C.

Weathered and fading
Who feels alone in the world?
You do
Too complicated
It’s not the same anymore
You’re through
You’re signing off again
But you’re my only friend
I don’t know what to say
I feel the ending close
Pick up the pieces
Finding a place in the world
To be
Too many reasons
To keep an ear at the door
For me
Will you come back again?
I only need a friend
When it’s all said and done
Will you need me too, girl?
Girl
Girl
Oh, girl

Only Friend by Wallows
Midjourney Render of Kristen’s Prompt
Crystal D.

Put your headphones on
Guess I gotta accept the pain
Need a cigarette to make me feel better
Every good thing comes my way
So I still get dolled up
Guess I gotta accept the pain
Need a cigarette to make me feel better
Every good thing comes my way

Headphones On by Addison Rae
ChatGPT Render of Crystal’s Prompt
Nicole G.

I helped him plant his seeds
And we’d mow the lawn in bad weather
It’s actually pretty easy being nice to a bitter boy like him
So I got myself a citrus friend
But soon his bittersweet started to rub off on me
You’d think smelling like lemon zest would be pretty neat
I found out that my friends are more of the savoury type
And they weren’t too keen
On compromising with a nice lemon pie
So Lemon Boy and me, we just gotta get along together
I’ll help him plant his seeds
And we’ll mow the lawn in bad weather
It’s actually pretty easy being nice to a bitter boy like him
So I got myself a citrus friend

Cavetown by Lemonboy
Midjourney Render of Nicole’s Prompt
Sofia H.

There’s glitter on the floor after the party
Girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby
Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor
You and me from the night before, but
Don’t read the last page
But I stay when you’re lost, and I’m scared, and you’re turning away
I want your midnights
But I’ll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day by Tailor Swift
Midjourney Render of Sofia’s Prompt
Jihee J.

“Laugh, and the whole world will laugh with you. Cry, and you will be the only one to cry.”

“Those ants. Are they still there? Do you still feel them? Right? When you think of loneliness, it’s always ants. Every truly lonely person I’ve met has experienced, even briefly, an ant hallucination. Come to think of it, ants always come in groups. Maybe that’s why truly lonely people keep thinking about ants. Of course, I’ve never felt it myself.”

Old Boy by Park Chan-Wook
Midjourney Render of Jihee’s Prompt
Paris K.

Everyone wears a mask

Anonymous
Midjourney Render of Paris’s Prompt
Sara L.

Hand in mine, into your icy blues
And then I’d say to you, “We could take to the highway
With this trunk of ammunition, too”
I’d end my days with you, in a hail of bullets

Demolition Lovers by My Chemical Romance
Midjourney Render of Sara’s Prompt
Boyneil O.

You leave scars in my heart so easily with harsh words
Without even saying sorry, I comfort myself again
I’m always anxious if you’re gonna leave me today
I just want you to stay
In your expressionless face that’s getting more dull, oh-oh
I whisper to the mirror, let’s slowly let this go, woah-oh
You take me for granted, but that’s you
But still, stay, stay, stay with me

Stay With Me by Black Pink
Midjourney Render of Boyneil’s Prompt
Troy R.

I really can’t, can’t trust nobody
Stick to myself, I’m the one who got me

Me, Myself & I by Lucki
Midjourney Render of Troy’s Prompt
Arian R.

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.

Hope Is The Thing With Feathers by the Emily Dickinson
Midjourney Render of Arian’s Prompt
Michael R.


I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Teach Pokemon to understand
The power that’s inside
Pokemon!
Gotta catch ’em all–

Pokemon Theme Song
Midjourney Render of Michael’s Prompt
Reese M.


Beautiful? This is the skin of a killer, Bella. I’m a killer.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
Midjourney Render of Maricarmen’s Prompt
Adriana S.

Memories kept in the sleep
I’m sealing with the antidote
I’ve given to pure intent
In the kindest dose
I hope your hope is lasting

Dozen by Alice Halo
Midjourney Render of Adriana’s Prompt
Yaroslava T.


I’m so confused
My life moves faster than me
Can’t feel the ground beneath my feet (ah)
No matter what I try to do
In times like these, it’s, it’s how it has to be
Yeah, how it has to be

Times Like These by Addison Rae
Midjourney Render of Yaroslava’s Prompt