Generative Art Timeline · Chapter 7: Net Era (1990s)
1993
AI Infinity by John Maeda

“I recall being surprised by how the computer could do so much at the beckon of a few lines of code.” -John Maeda This profound work marks Maeda’s return to computer programming using the PostScript language after a long hiatus. Inspired by his typography teacher’s questions about Maeda’s ultimate motivation in life, Maeda crafted this piece. He made it for the NeXT computer, with the piece itself featuring an infinite loop, symbolizing the endless potential of digital creation. This concept would appear in future books, such as How To Speak Machine (2019). Maeda halted the drawing at the 10,000th loop stroke. This work not only represents a pivotal moment in Maeda’s career but also reflects his journey from aspiring classical typographer to digital pioneer. AI Infinity holds deep personal significance, illustrating the convergence of his artistic and technological passions.
Text by Peter Bauman. Generative Art Timeline, Le Random, fact-checked September 2026.
People
Movements
digital art, generative art, graphic design
Filed under
- Ideas
- digital art, generative art, graphic design, typography
- Technologies
- PostScript, programming
- People
- John Maeda
- Works
- AI Infinity, How to Speak Machine
- Organisations
- NeXT
Related moments
Echoes across time
- 1978 · PostScript Language Developed
- 1974 · Muriel Cooper Founds the Visible Language Workshop
- 1968 · Notable computer artworks
Le Random editorials
- John Maeda on Computational Evolution, Peter Bauman, July 22, 2024
- Demystifying Generative Aesthetics, Peter Bauman, March 21, 2024
- Reprogramming Sensory Habits, Luba Elliott, June 9, 2025
- Frieder Nake on “Machinic” Miracles, Peter Bauman, July 10, 2024
Le Random podcast
- Timeline Ch 8—Tooling Era (2000s) with Christiane Paul, Casey Reas, Christa Sommerer & Golan Levin — listen with transcript on Le Random (15 May 2024, 64 min). Transcript mentions John Maeda. Apple Podcasts · Spotify
- Recapping 2024 and Projecting 2025 in Digital Art — listen with transcript on Le Random (13 Jan 2025, 89 min). Transcript mentions John Maeda. Apple Podcasts · Spotify
- Tom White & Gene Kogan on the Birth of GAN Art (Deep Learning Series 01) — listen with transcript on Le Random (14 Apr 2025, 44 min). Transcript mentions John Maeda. Apple Podcasts · Spotify
- Timeline Ch 7—Net Era (1990s) with Auriea Harvey, Joshua Davis, LIA, Scott Draves & Vuk Ćosić — listen with transcript on Le Random (11 Apr 2024, 77 min). Chapter 7’s episode. Apple Podcasts · Spotify