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2026-05-05 Synthetic Photography SIG meeting notes We met online using ZOOM 6:00pm-8:30pm You are invited to join us on ZOOM for the "Synthetic Photography SIG". I expect that this will be a controversial SIG as the topic of AI generated art seems to polarize people into 2 camps, they either love the concept that now they can make beautiful art or they hate the idea that "unskilled" people can make better art than they can. I am sure that we will have different views, but I hope that we can get along and respect everyone's views. I want to expand the focus of the Synthetic Photography SIG to include other image editing tools and techniques while maintaining our main focus on AI tools and techniques. "Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. The right to freedom of expression has been recognised as a human right in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and international human rights law." - Wikipedia ATTENDEES 1. We discussed "Anthropic's new Claude Mythos (AI model)" Claude Mythos Explained: Anthropic’s Most Dangerous Model Yet - 12:23 - TheAIGRID Anthropic Mythos explained in 5 minutes - 5:31 - Neurix Claude Mythos is Actually Scary - 13:29 - Low Level Is Claude Mythos “Terrifying”? (According to Experts: No.) - 25:01 - Cal Newport One of the best ways to make your system secure against these type of attacks from AI is to not let your developers use AI to program the systems because they create sloppy very exploitable code. 2. We discussed "Acceptance of AI generated images" 3. We discussed "The three realities of AI - article in AXIOS" 4. We discussed "Using AI to help start a business " 5. We discussed "AI training limits in the EU" 6. We discussed "Can we build and operate datacenters without negatively impacting the community?" GlobalAI is developing a major AI data center on a ~500-acre former Carestream/Kodak site in Weld County, Colorado, in partnership with Nvidia and Uman. The project, aimed at bolstering the local economy, has received initial permits, with developers promising water usage limited to that of an average household. David Eisenbraun, planning services director for Weld County, told CBS Colorado this first data center is just the beginning of what the county hopes will be a bright future in hosting data and AI facilities. 7. We discussed "AI art at Conventions like Comic Con and Dragon Con" 8. We briefly discussed "Don’t Buy a New Computer in 2026! (Even for AI Use – Here’s Why)" RESOURCES (Where you can find sources of inspiration) AGENDA FOR OUR NEXT SYNTHETIC PHOTOGRAPHY SIG MEETING - Tue 6/2/2026 @6:00pm If there is anything related to AI that you would like to discuss at our SIG meeting, please email me so I can add them to our agenda. Please email Mike, info@fcdcc.com, when you find mistakes, missing information or if you have suggestions for the Synthetic Photography SIG and I will try to address the issues. Thanks, --------------------------- Meeting Summary from ZOOM ----------------------- Quick recapThe group discussed several AI-related topics, including the recent release of Anthropic's Mythos AI model and its potential security implications. They examined how AI is being used in various industries, from data centers to photography to pharmaceuticals, and debated the impact of AI on jobs and society. The conversation also covered a proposed data center in Windsor, Colorado, including concerns about energy usage, environmental impact, and community resistance. Participants shared perspectives on AI adoption, with some viewing it as an inevitable part of modern life while others expressed concerns about job displacement and security risks. The discussion touched on various applications of AI in entertainment, business, and technology, as well as regulatory challenges and the potential for future developments in the field. Next stepsNext steps were not generated due to insufficient transcript. SummaryAI Model Mythos DiscussionThe group discussed several topics, including recent political events in Ohio and Indiana, weather conditions, and the emergence of Anthropic's AI model "Mythos." Jim Limburg shared updates about snow in his area, while Rich described recent rainfall in Texas. The conversation then shifted to Mythos, with Mike providing details about its capabilities, potential vulnerabilities it could find, and the creation of Project Glasswing involving multiple tech companies. The group also briefly discussed the model shoot organized by Kevin, which featured 30-something models and 8 photographers with a vintage car theme. Mythos AI Vulnerability DetectionMike presented information about Anthropic's Mythos AI model, highlighting its ability to find and exploit vulnerabilities in software systems. He explained that during testing, Mythos discovered thousands of high-severity zero-day vulnerabilities and outperformed other AI models like Claude and GPT in exploit detection. Jim raised a question about whether Mythos was discovering new vulnerabilities or just searching for known ones, which Mike addressed by demonstrating a capture-the-flag experiment where Mythos successfully identified vulnerabilities in various AI models at high rates. AI Risk and Regulation DiscussionThe group discussed the potential risks and implications of advanced AI models like Mythos and GPT-5-4 becoming publicly available. Mike and Rich expressed skepticism about the hype surrounding Mythos, suggesting it might not be significantly more dangerous than existing tools and could be part of marketing strategies. The conversation touched on the broader concerns about AI security, including the potential for cyberattacks and the need for better protection measures. The group also debated the role of government regulation in AI development, with some expressing concerns about who should be trusted to create and enforce such regulations. AI Art at Comic ConventionsThe group discussed the use of AI-generated images in art contexts, particularly at comic conventions. Mike explained how traditional artists are concerned about AI affecting their work, noting that some artists can now create multiple pieces in a day using AI tools like Procreate, which has led to some artists being kicked out of conventions. The discussion touched on how studios use computer-generated content while restricting fan art, and concluded with a brief mention of Taylor Swift's recent trademarking of her face and voice. AI in Photography DiscussionThe group discussed AI in photography and art, with Mike sharing examples of his AI-enhanced models and Rich noting how AI features have become more prevalent in photography software. They debated the EU's proposed restrictions on AI model training using EU information, with Mike expressing concern that such restrictions might be too late to implement effectively. The conversation then shifted to weather conditions, with participants discussing heavy snowfall in Estes Park and related road closures. The conversation ended with a brief discussion about AI education initiatives, though specific details were unclear due to overlapping conversations. New Data Center Development PlansThe group discussed a new data center being built in the old Kodak building in Windsor, which will be operated by Global AI in partnership with Nvidia and a Saudi company. The facility is expected to create 1,500 construction jobs and about a dozen permanent technical roles, though concerns were raised about power requirements and potential noise impacts. The discussion also touched on the rapid growth of AI-powered businesses, with Paul mentioning a specific example of a company that grew to $1.8 billion in value in just two months using AI. Data Center Proposal DiscussionThe group discussed concerns about a proposed data center in Weld County, including environmental impacts, energy consumption, and water usage. They noted that while commissioners approved the project due to job creation and tax revenue, there were questions about which municipality would handle taxation. The conversation also touched on potential battery storage facilities and Fort Collins' discussions about data center regulations. Additionally, Paul shared information about a business that used AI tools to start operations, including the sale of GLP-1 weight loss medication, though Jack raised concerns about the legality of such operations due to pharmaceutical patents. AI-Driven Pharmacy Business StartupThe group discussed a business startup that used AI tools to create and operate a pharmacy business, with one founder spending $20,000 on AI software and tools. The discussion explored how AI could help with business operations, particularly in navigating regulations, though questions remained about the specific extent of AI implementation in the pharmacy's operations. The conversation concluded with a brief tangent about AI token systems and their similarities to software subscription models. Data Center and AI FutureThe group discussed the future of data centers and AI technology, with Rich noting that current technology limitations may change in the future. They examined a new data center in Weld County and debated potential tax implications and environmental concerns. The conversation shifted to the broader implications of AI development, with Mike suggesting that AI leadership could influence global values, while Rich argued against total control by a single entity. The discussion concluded with a mention of how people are divided into three groups regarding AI adoption: doubters, power users, and those heavily reliant on AI systems. AI Adoption and Usage CategoriesThe group discussed how they fit into categories of AI adoption, agreeing they were casual users rather than doubters, power users, or resistors. Rich shared examples of AI being used in everyday life without people realizing it, while Mike mentioned recent incidents of AI-related protests and violence. The conversation touched on various applications of AI in entertainment, including commercial and movie production, with participants noting how AI technology has become increasingly prevalent in daily life. AI Content and Energy SystemsThe group discussed various topics including AI-generated content, potential business ideas, and energy systems. They explored the possibility of using AI to create content for platforms like YouTube and music for streaming services, though concerns about copyright were raised. The conversation also touched on battery farms and renewable energy storage, with Jim Limburg sharing his son's experience with a solar farm battery system. The discussion concluded with a debate about electricity supply and data center impact on local power grids, particularly regarding Xcel Energy's role in providing power to data centers. Data Center Infrastructure PlanningThe group discussed the electrical and water infrastructure implications of a planned data center in Windsor. They explored how electricity rates are regulated at state and local levels, with Rich explaining that Texas's isolated grid and lack of de-icing systems on wind turbines contributed to the state's power crisis during a recent ice storm. The discussion also covered water rights and distribution systems in Northern Colorado, including a 15-mile tunnel project that was remarkably accurate when constructed. The conversation revealed that Weld County has ordinances regulating data center energy and water usage in industrial areas. Website Security and Technology ChallengesThe group discussed various topics including the history of slide rules, current gas prices, and solar panel regulations. Mike shared insights about website security challenges, particularly for political sites, explaining how WordPress-based sites are vulnerable due to their complex architecture involving multiple developers. The discussion highlighted how AI tools could help identify security vulnerabilities in websites, though Mike noted that many existing websites remain at risk due to poor security practices. The conversation also touched on the current challenges with computer hardware, particularly GPUs and SSD prices, with participants noting that components are being directed toward data centers rather than consumer devices.
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