Reflection 2: Sparked by the video Is AI Art Original? by CrashCourse
The development of artificial intelligence technology over the last few years has raised many questions ranging from the ethical use of AI to the privacy of users. The debate over the use of AI is still ongoing and will likely continue for several more years. One subject that AI has sparked heavy debate in is art, as AI-generated art and human-created art can be nearly indistinguishable from one another nowadays. The capability of today’s AI can produce detailed images, which can resemble styles of established human artists. At first glance, AI art can appear just as impressive as human-made pieces. However, the way in which each of the separate arts are made differs fundamentally, and this difference shapes how we understand and value each form.
Generally, when a person creates art, it’s connected to their lived experiences. Every detail is influenced by the person’s emotions, memories, and perspectives. Even when a piece of art is abstract, or difficult to interpret, it often reflects the internal expressions or exploration of the person. Many people argue that what gives art its meaning is the intention when creating it. That a painting is not just liquid on a canvas, but it’s a display of someone’s thoughts and feelings at a particular moment in their life.
On the other hand, AI-generated art is created through its access to pre-existing work. An AI does not feel inspiration or have emotions; it doesn’t get to experience the world the same way a person would. Instead, it has torely on the vast amounts of existing artwork and analyze their elements to make something new. Even though the product can be visually stunning, its missing the personal touch that person brings when creating art. Which raises the popular discussion: can something be considered true art if it lacks intention and emotion?
But it would also be unfair to dismiss the value that AI can contribute to artists. AI can be used to assist artists in many ways; by helping with ideas to overcome mental blocks or to explore new techniques and styles they haven’t experienced before. When used as a tool to assist artists instead of replacing them in creative process, AI becomes a valuable and powerful collaborative tool that can help both current and aspiring artists. This collaboration between an artist’s creativity and AI’s technological capabilities can promote new forms of artistic expression and lead to new developments in both fields.
Ultimately, the defining separation of AI-generated art and human art lies not in the final piece that is created but in the steps that lead to it. When a person creates art, it carries intention, emotion, and individuality, something an AI can’t quite replicate. When an AI creates art, it’s through patterns and access to data. But instead of viewing the two as competitors, the value in their collaboration might be a more productive exploration for art. AI should never take over the creative process of art, it’s the thing that gives true art its value. But that’s not to say that AI shouldn’t be involved at all; it can serve as a valuable assistor in an artist’s creative process and spark the creation of new arts. The real challenge lies in finding the balance between a person’s creativity and AI’s abilities that respects historical and contemporary artistic etiquette.