It’s likely that while browsing Instagram, you’ve come across amazing posts in iconic places or original images that make you feel like going to that place to visit. However, there is a completely different reality behind every post, and artificial intelligence has proven it. The Follower program, which uses open cameras in different cities, is able to analyze the publications that people upload to the social network, and find the exact moment the user took the capture.
The software, created by Belgian artist Dries Deporter, seems to work very simply. The first, the artist recorded what was filmed by various public cameras for 10 days.. These cameras, in particular, are installed in the iconic or popular points of cities and allow you to see in real time what is happening in the area.
After filming the footage, Depoorter examined all of the Instagram posts that were tagged as specific locations recorded by the cameras and that were allegedly posted within the same 10-day period. Both materials are sufficient for an AI designed by the artist himself to be able to analyze and compare posts with video from the camera. Target? Find coincidences.
Reality of Instagram photos reflected thanks to artificial intelligence
To display the results, Depoorter inserts the post that the user uploaded to Instagram with the moment when the cameras record how the picture is taken. The reality, of course, is completely different from what we see on the social network. The Follower shows how the streets are filled with citizens, many of whom pass in front of the camera. It is also possible to observe how the user taking the photo changes his posture in many cases. Or even clothes to try and get the best shot.
The artist, in addition to the AI that determines when an Instagram photo was taken, has also used public cameras for other projects such as Flemish Scrollers. In doing so, Depoorter uses live broadcasts hosted by the Belgian government to determine the moment when a politician uses his mobile and how long.
Dries Depoorter also has an interesting collection of NFTs available for purchase from OpenSea. Tokens, in particular, are images taken by users’ security cameras, which cross a pedestrian crossing on a red traffic light. The price of each NFT is equivalent to the cost of the Red Penalty, although everything collected goes to the artist.
Source: Hiper Textual
