When Artificial Intelligence Turns Images into Poetry

Published on January 08, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Poetry Camera on a table, showing its minimalist design with a thermal printer and a Raspberry Pi chip, while printing a poem generated by AI.

Technology at the Service of Creativity

In a world where technology and art are increasingly intertwined, an innovative project called Poetry Camera emerges. This device, created by Kelin Caroline Zhang and Ryan Mather, does not take conventional photographs, but uses artificial intelligence to convert captured scenes into poems. Instead of printing images, the camera analyzes visual elements and transforms them into verses, offering a unique experience that fuses photography with literature.

A Device Built with Accessible Components

The camera is built with accessible and open-source components, such as a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 chip, a Camera Module 3 camera module, and an Adafruit Mini Thermal thermal printer. All of this is housed in a 3D-printed case, giving it a minimalist and modern design. The device connects to the OpenAI API to process images and generate poetry, allowing users to control the length of the poems using a shutter button and an adjustment knob.

"I want AI to do my laundry and dishes so I can dedicate myself to art and writing." - Joanna Maciejewska

An Open Project for Everyone

One of the most outstanding aspects of the Poetry Camera is its open-source nature. The creators have shared the technical specifications and build instructions on GitHub, allowing DIY (do it yourself) enthusiasts to replicate and modify the design. This decision reflects a collaborative spirit and democratizes access to technology, making the project accessible even to those without advanced technical knowledge.

The Future of Photography and Artificial Intelligence

Although mass production is not planned at the moment, the developers have mentioned the possibility of offering limited quantities through their website. This project joins other initiatives exploring the intersection between artificial intelligence and photography, such as Dan Macnish's drawing camera in 2018 and the 2023 Paragraphica, which generates images from location and time data.

A New Form of Artistic Expression

The Poetry Camera is not only a technological device, but also a creative tool that challenges the traditional boundaries of photography. As Joanna Maciejewska, the project's inspiration, said: I want AI to do my laundry and dishes so I can dedicate myself to art and writing. This device represents a growing trend in which artificial intelligence is integrated into creative processes, opening new possibilities for artistic expression and redefining what it means to capture a moment.

In summary, the Poetry Camera is a fascinating example of how technology can transform creativity, offering a new way to see and experience the world through poetry generated by artificial intelligence.