Revolutionizing Time-Telling: AI Clock Poem/1 Delivers Poetry By The Minute

Meet Poem/1, a novel time-telling device that recites a new poem every minute, created by London-based tech enthusiast Matt Webb. This poetic clock, now seeking funding through Kickstarter, offers a unique blend of generative AI and hardware. It doesn't just tell time, it celebrates it with a rhyme, thanks to the integration of OpenAI's powerful ChatGPT.

From Physics to Poetry:

Matt Webb, holding an Oxford University Master's in Physics, ventured into the realm of ambient computing with his Poem/1 concept. Influenced by the desire to embed AI within commonplace items, Webb saw an opportunity to combine his work on AI applications with his passion for seamless technology integration into our everyday lives.

A Clock Unlike Any Other:

Remarkable in its creativity, Poem/1 doesn't show time traditionally with numbers; instead, it generates timely verses. A Raspberry Pi and an e-paper display—sourced from China and packed with an API connecting to ChatGPT—form the device's core, scripting spontaneous poetry related to the minute at hand.

For instance, a poem may go "With hands on the clock, I'll show you the time. It's 3:50 PM, as the moments chime," illustrating how Poem/1 intertwines verse with time.

Launching Poem/1:

The Poem/1 doesn't generate poems on the device to keep costs and resource usage low; poems are composed centrally and sent to the clocks. Initially launching in the UK and the US, Webb acknowledges concerns about server dependencies, but assures enthusiasts that he's considered measures for sustainability and access to the API for tinkerers.

The Kickstarter campaign has gained swift traction, closing in on half of its funding goal shortly after launch. Poem/1 is priced at $149 for backers, with a slight increase anticipated post-production. Backed by over 300 supporters already, Webb expresses gratitude and looks forward to reaching the full funding goal.

AI, poetry, clock