A Peer-to-Peer Chat About AI, Beauty, and Imperfection

When we decided to chat with Lorenzo about his latest project, OUTLOVERS, I knew it would be an interesting conversation. At Nerdo Studio, we’re all familiar with the dilemmas that arise when technology and creativity collide. But hearing Lorenzo’s firsthand experience with a project entirely generated by artificial intelligence took the discussion to a whole new level.

Where did OUTLOVERS come from?

“OUTLOVERS started as something of an experiment. I liked the idea of representing a feeling as profound, universal, and unique as love through the use of something "a machine" fundamentally can’t comprehend. I wondered how people from different times, species, and worlds might express this emotion that defines our humanity. At the same time, I wanted to push AI to see if it could create something visually captivating and also… human, in a way. It was fascinating but also frustrating because I quickly realized AI has a really complicated relationship with imperfection.”

What do you mean by ‘complicated’?

“Algorithms are ‘hooked’ on an idea of perfection that goes beyond realistic or prepackaged representation. When I try to generate human faces, getting something authentic—something with that spark that makes a face feel alive and unique—is incredibly difficult. AI tends to produce hyper-polished faces, with a default cinematic aesthetic, completely missing the textures and imperfections that tell a story. Naturally, this stems from how these models are trained. And let’s face it, the most widely used models are tied to a prepackaged aesthetic rather than something spontaneous.”

And that got you thinking, I imagine…

“Absolutely. The issue isn’t just technical; it’s cultural and social. I kept asking myself: what happens when these tools really integrate into our daily lives? What happens when their ideal of perfection becomes our default visual language? AI doesn’t understand the beauty of a tired gaze, or the small imperfection that makes a face unique.”

That’s an interesting point. Do you think this aesthetic could have societal impacts?

“Definitely. It’s a delicate issue with significant repercussions on how we perceive ourselves. Think about what it means to accustom people to perfectly polished visual content, devoid of flaws. We’re not just redefining aesthetic standards; we’re rewriting the very perception of what it means to be human. It’s as though the only valid version of ourselves is the one ‘corrected’ by the algorithm. This creates a toxic cycle: you see these images, you don’t identify with them, but you still start aspiring to something that doesn’t exist. In the long run, it’s not just a personal insecurity issue, it’s a social problem, one that affects how we see and accept ourselves and others in a world increasingly detached from everyday reality.”

What have you learned from this project as a creative?

“More than I expected, honestly. OUTLOVERS made me question not only what it means to use technology but also how it shapes our concepts of beauty and identity. It taught me that, no matter how powerful AI is, it’s essential to use it consciously. We need to give it ethical and creative direction; otherwise, we risk flattening everything into a visual model that erases human complexity.”

And now? How do you see the future of creativity with artificial intelligence?

“I think we’re at a crossroads. AI has enormous potential, but balance is key. We can’t let it dictate the rules because then we risk losing something essential: imperfection, which is what makes us unique. It’s a challenge but also a great opportunity to rethink our relationship with technology. AI should be seen as a tool, not as the solution to every problem—whether creative, budgetary, or time-related.”

So, what’s the message you hope OUTLOVERS conveys?

“That beauty has never been about perfection. It lies in the nuances, in the stories every face tells. Love has no time, no place, and shouldn’t be suppressed.”

And what about the soundtrack? How did you approach that part of the project?

“The soundtrack was crucial in evoking the emotional tone of the concept. I needed something that wasn’t explicitly happy or sad but captured this bittersweet idea of ‘farewell’?—?love enduring even as the world ends… (or perhaps doesn’t). Alessandro was incredible in this regard. He created a dark ambient track that felt absolutely perfect from the moment I heard it. It’s haunting, atmospheric, and carries just the right weight to complement the visuals. To me, it’s a piece that resonates deeply with the heart of OUTLOVERS.”

The conversation with Lorenzo was a reminder for all of us here at Nerdo Studio of how important it is to remain critical and aware when working with new technologies.

This dialogue has been made based on a real dialogue between Lorenzo ChatGPT and Claude