When AI meets artistry 🖍️

We asked an AI bot to recreate some of Madison’s most iconic spots

While the Capitol isn’t quite this close to the lake, we like the way you think Craiyon. | Rendering via craiyon.com

Have you heard of the AI bot Craiyon? The artificial intelligence project has skyrocketed in popularity, sketching more than 50,000 images per day. We joined in on the fun and asked the bot to draw five of Madison’s most notable features — follow along with this gallery + see how it did.

Note: This application shares nine versions of each photo, so we selected our favorite for each example.

Madison skyline | Rendering No. 1
Our grade: C+
While the realism of this rendering isn’t perfect — unless someone moved the Capitol closer to the water without telling us — Craiyon clearly understands a few basics of Madison: ample green space, lakeside views, and our beloved Capitol.

Overture Center for the Arts | Rendering No. 2
Our grade: B
If you’ve ever been inside of Overture Hall, you can attest to the scale and magnitude of the theater — which Craiyon captured quite well. Maybe the AI added a few extra mezzanines + box sections, but we’re flattered it thinks so highly of our Center for the Arts.

608today Craiyon Camp Randall — If you look closely, you can almost see the south end zone renovation project.

Camp Randall | Rendering No. 3
Our grade: A-
Craiyon’s detail work leaves something to be desired, but the sea of red makes us feel like we’re right there, cheering on the Badgers. Is that new interim head coach Jim Leonhard on the 50 yard line?

Madison Beltline | Rendering No. 4
Our grade: C
Much like our experience driving on this freeway, the AI generated image is also a bit convoluted + dizzying. Jokes aside, the AI did an average job depicting one of the 608’s most traveled highways. Did you hear the new flex lanes have reduced travel times by 30%?

Robert M. Lamp House | Rendering No. 5
Our grade: D
Credit where credit is due, Craiyon is very in tune with Frank Lloyd Wright’s design language + architectural style. This, however, looks much more like the Charles L. & Dorothy Manson House or the Affleck House than the prompt.

UW School of Medicine & Public Health, All of Us Program

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

Introduction to Kenjutsu: Swordsmanship of Japan | Mon., Oct. 10 | 6 p.m. | Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St., Madison | $50.00 | Hone your focus and experience the expertise of a modern Samurai. ⚔️
Joe Satriani: Earth Tour 2022 - 2023 | Mon., Oct. 10 | 8 p.m. | Orpheum Madison, 216 State St., Madison | $39.50 - $99.50 | Hear a set from this instrumental guitarist following his 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars.

Tuesday

Madison Tango Society Dance Lessons | Tue., Oct. 11 | 7-8 p.m. | The Brink Lounge, 701 E. Washington Ave. Suite 105, Madison | No partners or experience required for this open dance hall experience. 🎶

Wednesday

Crucible Karaoke | Wed., Oct. 12 | 6:30 p.m. | Crucible, 3116 Commercial Ave., Madison | Free | Take this opportunity to sing your heart out with neighborhood friends during an open mic night.
Fall Book Sale | Wed., Oct. 12 - Fri., Oct. 14 | 4-8 p.m. | Memorial Library, 728 State St., Madison | $5.00 | Come early to shop a large collection of bargain books or swing by towards the end to grab the best prices. 📚

Thursday

Brews and Q’s Taproom Trivia | Thu., Oct. 13 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Karben4 Brewing, 3698 Kinsman Blvd., Madison | Free | Compete for prizes and sip on delicious beer while playing through 50+ questions of original trivia. 📝

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

66º | Partly cloudy | 10% chance of rain

Biz

Nordic Consulting — a Madison-based health + tech company — has acquired Hygeian Consulting, a similar group based in Cheltenham, England. With Hygeian’s 300 consultants based in Europe, Nordic hopes to expand its international reach. 🌐 (Madison.com)

Number

$40 million. That’s how much is coming to Wisconsin to fund broadband infrastructure across the Dairyland. As part of the Capital Project Fund, WI will receive $189 million in total with funds aimed at providing communities with modern infrastructure. 💻 (Cap Times)

Job

Wisconsin’s Registered Apprenticeship program is seeing the highest participation + engagement rates in the past two decades. 15,000 Wisconsinites are getting a mix of classroom and on-the-job learning in industries like construction, healthcare, and IT. (Channel 3000)

Transit

Gov. Evers announced more than $35 million in support for non-motorized transportation projects across the state. 72 projects from the Transportation Alternatives Program will bolster safety + infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and all other commuters over the next five years. 🚲 (NBC 15)

Eat

Culver’s Curdburger is back for a limited time, this month only. From Wed., Oct. 12-Mon., Oct. 31, find a Culver’s near you + get a taste of the Deluxe ButterBurger topped with a cheese curd patty. 🍔 (NBC 15)

Learn

Become bilingual — but make the learning process fun. Babbel’s bite-size, 10-minute lessons are designed to fit into your busy life, helping you learn a new language in as little as three weeks. Pro tip: Get 55% off your subscription for a limited time. 🗺️ *

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Co-ops in Madison, Wisconsin

Members of the Wil-Mar neighborhood have been shopping here since 1974. | Photo by 608today team

What is a co-op?

A food co-op is a cooperative grocery store owned by members of the community. Co-ops, unlike traditional chain grocers, are community-focused — putting the needs of the neighborhood before investors.

Local residents have the opportunity to buy-in or invest in a co-op (oftentimes through a “membership”) to receive perks + discounts. Members are often entitled to:

Special deals on particular goods or services
Power to vote on a co-op’s board of directors
Financial rewards such as member dollars + yearly dividends

Where can I shop at one?

Note: Any community member may shop at a local co-op without a membership.

Willy Street Co-op | 1221 Williamson St. | Mon.-Sun., 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Membership cost: $58 for individual owners or $93 for households.
(Pro tip: You can pay these dues over the span of seven years.)

Regent Market Co-op | 2136 Regent St. | Mon.-Sun., 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Membership cost: $25 for a yearly household membership or $125 one-time payment.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Ryan.

Editor’s pick: Something I’m eager to try in the coming weeks is RED’s new fall menu. A few things that caught my eye: the Red Snapper Crudo + the Against the Grain cocktail with whiskey, dram, and oat milk tea.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Madison writers + how to hone your craft.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Ally Geiger, Ryan Waldman, Dayten Rose, Josh Kranzberg, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Julie Brown | Advertise with us.

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