Artificial Intelligence and Art

Generally speaking, I have been successful in utilizing A.I. in my creative work and have grown comfortable with the technology. So, it was surprising when I encountered an issue when I used my A.I. assistant with another group that I am affiliated with. I created an artistic image of a group of fantasy adventurers, looking at a castle keep in the distance. Pleased with the result, I submitted it to the group, disclosing that it was a copyright-free A.I. generated image. Several members quickly took issue with my creation, not because of anything in the image itself but because they had a philosophical problem with A.I. creating art. Their contention was that A.I. programs “steal” artistic styles developed by humans and use these to create A.I. generated material. Accordingly, the group decided to only use artwork created by actual human hands.

I admit that lately I have been so focused on avoiding copyright issues, that I welcomed the use of A.I. and the assurance it brought that I was creating original images. I was unaware that those in the artistic community were so opposed to the use of A.I., and certainly I will be more sensitive to that issue going forward. However, I do not believe that anyone, even true artists, can lay claim to an entire “style.” If they can, then I encourage them to seek copyright protection. But to simply characterize A.I. as something that is antithetical to all art, I fear is very short-sighted. The technology is not going away, regardless of how much we may wish it so. And frankly, it is not A.I. that is the threat. To quote Scott Galloway, NYU professor and entrepreneur, “It is not A.I. that will take your job, it is the guy that knows how to use A.I. that will take your job.” The implication being that instead of arguing against the use of A.I. (probably a futile battle), it is better to start learning and living with A.I. I am no fan of change and thus I have empathy for those who push back against A.I., and believe me I would welcome some well-thought-out regulation of the new technology. But wishing A.I. would go way is akin to throwing rocks at the sun. It might be momentarily satisfying but ultimately will accomplish nothing and could leave you blind.

Not a sermon, just a thought.