AI & Art #2

Part 1: AI & Art #1

It appears that the prevailing focus among many individuals today—or so I surmise—centers on the notion of “pure AI art”. This term ostensibly refers to art created solely via artificial intelligence, which is then commercialized as genuine artistic work. However, this interpretation starkly contrasts with (what I consider) the legitimate integration of AI tools within esteemed creative workflows.

In my practice, AI serves as an auxiliary tool rather than the principal medium. Personally I employ artificial intelligence to craft backgrounds, gather inspirational elements for mood boards, or establish preliminary concepts for further artistic development. Additionally, AI assists in drafting sketches for maps within the realm of worldbuilding or generating provisional artwork for card-based video games.

Moreover, AI plays a pivotal role in enhancing my blog’s editorial quality. Initially, I input content through voice recognition software due to its expedience over traditional typing. Subsequently, I utilize GPT to refine this input into well-structured paragraphs, complete with appropriate punctuation and formatting, as the voice transcription often lacks these critical elements.

Thus, in my perspective, AI merely constitutes one component among a diverse array of techniques employed in the creation of art.

A user comment I received while developing the article underscored the prevalent acceptance of this technology: “For most people, the advantages significantly outweigh the disadvantages”. Additionally, it was noted that the last company the commenter was affiliated with utilized AI for the production of promotional videos, incorporating both AI-generated voiceovers and visual content.

Reflecting on this, I concur with the sentiment. My personal observations align, particularly through a colleague who is employed at a medium-sized IT company. This firm is progressively integrating AI into their production processes. From my standpoint, the disadvantages of AI are not intrinsic to the technology itself but rather result from its misuse by individuals—a caveat applicable to any technological advancement.

The prevalent apprehensions regarding AI often stem from misconceptions about the technology’s capabilities, purpose, and implications. These fears, I believe, are largely unfounded and do not accurately reflect the potential and intended use of AI within various sectors.

Addressing User Concerns

User concerns: “I wanted to share some thoughts on the use of artificial intelligence in generating stock images, an application I find quite effective. In scenarios where accuracy or authenticity isn’t paramount, AI proves exceptionally useful, particularly for producing generic visual content that doesn’t require the nuanced touch of a human artist.

However, a growing concern in our discussions has been the perception that AI might render traditional artists obsolete. There’s an increasing sentiment that ‘we don’t need artists anymore’, which I find quite troubling. Moreover, the ethical issue of artists’ works being used as training data without their consent is equally worrying. This not only undermines the artists’ rights but also poses serious moral questions about the integrity and ethical use of AI technologies in the creative industry.”

My response: The individuals involved in these practices hostile to traditional artists are not only unethical but also fundamentally misapprehend the essence of art. Art should not be misconstrued as a mere “service”; it is, fundamentally, an expression of human essence and creativity. Thus, the critical issue at hand is not artificial intelligence itself but rather the capitalist framework in which these artistic endeavors are embedded.

Humans Will Never Be Obsolete

Despite the theoretical capability of AI to perform all tasks within the artistic process, the necessity for human artists persists. This necessity is rooted in the intrinsic value of the human creative spirit. To illustrate, consider the analogy of a lion’s running speed. While lions are faster than any human, their speed holds no relevance in the context of the Olympics because what captivates us is the athletic prowess of our own species.

Similarly, even if AI possesses the capability to execute artistic tasks, the desire for human-made art remains undiminished. The real challenge artists face lies within a capitalist system that compels them to compete with commodified products that were regarded as mere services long before the advent of sophisticated AI technologies.

True art, which transcends the superficial appeal of mass-produced items lacking genuine substance, has (always already) often been sidelined in favor of these popular, yet insubstantial, products.

AI Accelerates Issues but does not Cause Them

Artificial intelligence now facilitates the production of content devoid of substantial value on a grand scale. However, it is not inevitable that AI is used in such a reckless manner; i.e. there is a choice to do good with it, rather than bad.

Consider a parallel that predates AI: With the advent of Google, an uninformed individual might question the utility of learning any fact, reasoning that all information is readily accessible on Wikipedia. Yet, would anyone be genuinely impressed if, during a conversation, someone simply recited information directly from Wikipedia? This scenario is not uncommon, yet it highlights a crucial point.

While technology undoubtedly allows us to offload certain tasks, the essence of human psychology remains geared towards valuing the actions and creations of other humans. This inherent trait underscores that the notion of AI replacing artists is a misunderstanding. The human connection to and appreciation for the creative endeavors of others are enduring attributes that technology cannot replace.

Legitimate AI Applications

I employ AI to structure my articles, ensuring that it only articulates concepts I would endorse or understand myself. This disciplined use ensures that AI complements my workflow rather than executing tasks outside my expertise.

Similarly, an individual learning digital art could leverage AI to expedite their learning process, enhancing their understanding of elements like composition and backgrounds. However, the use of AI should augment, not replace, their creative input.

I can illustrate this with a real-life example: A friend of mine, who is part of a band, and his circle generally harbor a disdain for AI. However, he and I frequently utilize music generation AI to enrich our creative processes. We provide the AI with lyrics and style prompts and experiment extensively with the outputs. This interaction with AI has not only heightened our enthusiasm for the arts but has also spurred my friend to write more lyrics for his band while motivating me to enhance my singing skills and vocal range.

For us, the introduction of AI tools has been wholly beneficial; it facilitated rapid experimentation and significantly boosted our motivation for ‘real’ artistic endeavors. It has also deepened our appreciation for the substantial effort required for humans to achieve such creative feats

From my perspective, the notion that “I don’t need to do this because the computer can” is deeply misguided. Instead, the true marvel lies in recognizing the capabilities humans possess to perform such tasks.

The Positive Way Forward

I acknowledge that my experience may not be universally representative, but that, in essence, is the crux of the matter. We must resist allowing the lowest common denominator of human behavior to set a standard that potentially fosters divisive narratives, such as the oft-cited “tech bros versus artists” dichotomy. It’s essential to view these advancements as enhancements to our capabilities, not replacements.

Further reading: Art & Performance

TL;DR: Key Points

1. Utility of AI in Art: AI is primarily utilized as an auxiliary tool in artistic processes, enhancing backgrounds, mood boards, sketches, and editorial quality but not replacing core creative tasks.
2. Misconceptions and Fears: Concerns about AI making artists obsolete or misusing artists’ works are often based on misunderstandings of AI’s role and capabilities. The core issue is misuse, not the technology itself.
3. AI in Commercial and Ethical Contexts: The unethical use of AI in the arts is criticized, particularly when it threatens traditional artistic roles or violates artists’ rights. Problems are often rooted in the capitalist framework rather than the technology.
4. Human Creativity’s Irreplaceability: Despite AI’s advanced capabilities, the intrinsic value and appeal of human-made art remain paramount, reflecting the essence of human creativity.
5. AI as an Accelerant, Not a Cause: AI can exacerbate existing issues in art production by enabling the mass creation of less substantive content, but these problems predate AI.
6. Legitimate Applications of AI: When used responsibly, AI can enhance creative processes without replacing the artist, serving as a tool for learning and experimentation rather than a substitute for human creativity.
7. Positive Perspective on Technology: Viewing technological advancements as enhancements to human capabilities rather than replacements fosters a more positive and productive approach to integrating AI into creative fields.