Blog Post Three: The Artificial Intelligence (AI) Generated Art Phenomenon
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been making waves in the art world in recent years, with many people questioning the validity of AI-Generated Art and its place in it. Some argue that it is a valuable addition to the art world, while others say it is nothing more than a cheap imitation of traditional Art. In this blog post, I will explore the pros and cons of AI-generated and classic Art and discuss why some traditional artists may be unhappy with the rise of AI Art.
Unless you live on a deserted island and have yet to hear, an international movement in the art world has been increasing quickly. However, there are a lot of awkward questions and uncertainty about how this will be used. Will it replace traditional artists, graphic artists, photographers, media marketers, and many other careers where people rely on their visual content expertise as their bread and butter?
A significant argument going back and forth between artists and newly discovered "art creators/directors” is that AI is not Art, and what it truly is, is theft from known artists that can easily be searched on the internet. Artists also argues that the people making these images are not artists, but merely typists, and may even go as far as, say directors, as in, one who is directing AI the image they want to create through word prompts, or using a photo to make a more intricate image, known as image-to-image.
One of the main advantages of AI-Generated Art is that it can be created quickly and easily. With the help of computer algorithms and machine learning, AI can generate highly detailed, complex, and unique Art. This can save artists a lot of time and effort and allow them to create new and exciting works that would be difficult or impossible to make by hand.
Another advantage of AI-Generated Art, is that it can be created with high precision and accuracy. Unlike traditional Art, which is subject to the whims of the artist's hand and the materials used, AI-Generated Art can be created with high consistency and predictability. This can make it easier for artists to create highly detailed and precise works and make it easier for Art collectors and buyers to predict the outcome of a piece of Art.
However, there are also some downsides to AI-Generated Art. One of the main criticisms of AI-Generated Art is that it is not truly "art" in the traditional sense. Many argue that a human artist creates faithful Art and AI-Generated Art is just a computer-generated imitation.
Furthermore, AI-Generated Art lacks the emotional connection that traditional Art has; since its created by a machine, it doesn't have the human touch or the personal experience that the conventional artist puts into their work. Many artists say "Art is about human emotion and a certain skill...Art is about looking for something that cannot be put into words." However, the great artist David Hockney stated “what an artist is trying to do for people is bring them closer to something, because of course art is about sharing. You wouldn’t be an artist unless you wanted to share an experience, a thought” (2021). Is that not what AI-Generated Art is designed for? To share? Can people come together and create in ways they could not before AI? This brings an emotional connection for people to learn from each other on an international level, that has not happened in the past.
Moreover, some traditional artists are unhappy with the rise of AI-Generated Art because they believe it threatens their livelihoods. They argue that AI-Generated Art is cheaper and easier to produce than traditional Art, which could decrease demand for conventional Art and the prices that traditional artists can charge for their work. This is already happening on many levels, especially for graphic artists, i.e. book cover designers. A novelist or publishing company would hire graphic designers to create their book covers, but now, they can do it themselves with some word prompts and without the cost of hiring an artist to do it for them.
Despite the criticisms, many artists are beginning to embrace AI in their Art and are finding new and exciting ways to use it. For example, the artist Eduardo Kac is known for his art pieces that use bio-art and genetic engineering; he uses AI to create a new organism that he then integrates into his art pieces.
Personally, as a photographer, I have mixed views of the use of AI. Especially how real it can make an image look like a photograph. Also, the fact that when I launched my website in August 2022, it was only a matter of days before I discovered AI-Generated Art that was unleashed to the masses, and my heart dropped because I had worked so hard on this site, along with years of working on my photography skills. However, I have been embracing it to learn more about the assistance it may provide me in the future. You’ll see some prints on my site, but I promise always to be as ethical as possible and disclose which images are AI Art (as in this blog-featured photo). There have been reports of people selling images as graphic art or paintings, and photo likeness and passing them off as something they made themselves without the assistance of AI. These acts will create distrust in the communities, and buyers will be wary of being taken advantage of.
In conclusion, while AI-Generated Art has some advantages, such as speed and precision, it also has some downsides, such as the lack of emotional connection and the threat it poses to traditional artists' livelihoods. Ultimately, it is up to the art world and society to decide whether AI-Generated Art has a place in the world of Art. It's important to remember that AI-Generated Art is not meant to replace traditional Art, but to complement it and open new doors for creative expression.
References:
Bartlem, E. (N.D.). Immersive Artificial Life (A-Life) Art: https://www.ekac.org/edwina.html
Kundu, R. (October 25, 2022). AI-Generated Art: From Text to Images & Beyond (Examples): https://www.v7labs.com/blog/ai-generated-art
Printed Editions (February 5, 2021). David Hockney Quotes on Art and Life: https://www.printed-editions.com/blog/david-hockney-quotes/
Video Production With AI: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing The Film Industry: https://www.gopoint.com/ai-is-changing-the-film-industry/
