AI Art: Creation or Destruction?
From facial recognition to social media algorithms, use of Artificial Intelligence in our daily lives is nothing new. But what if AI could create music or drawings that were completely original? More recently, the topic of AI-generated art has been gaining more traction. What if art and creativity, elements which have been traditionally thought of as uniquely human, can now be executed by AI? Today, let’s explore the world of AI-generated art.
AI, through self-learning, can create works which are original based off the data it has been exposed to. While AI-generated art has been around for some time, its increased accessibility in 2022 has contributed greatly to its growing influence. Some popular AI art generators include: Midjourney, Dall-E-2 and The Night Cafe. By entering a text prompt into the AI-generator website, users can receive an original work of art created by the AI after it scrapes data from millions of sources. With original art so easily obtainable at one’s fingertips, AI-generated art has become a hot topic of debate.
A Threat to Creativity?
The most obvious concern to emerge around AI-generated art would be that of its potential threat to the livelihoods of artists. After all, if AI can now create original works, what happens to the element of creativity and innovation which we once thought of as uniquely human?
AI-generated art has already begun to make its impact on our lives. In 2018, AI art sold at Christie’s for $432,500. In June 2022, AI Dall-E-2 created the world’s first AI-generated magazine cover for Elle, featuring an astronaut. In August, the winning art piece for the Colorado State Fair’s fine art competition was generated by Jason Allen using Midjourney. Allen’s win sparked outcry from artists, who felt that using AI was an insult to artists who had spent years honing their craft and creativity.
An Inspiration?
On the other hand, AI art can be a fertile source of inspiration for artists worldwide. With access to millions of artworks and prompts, AI art could well be capable of creating original works and designs that humans have never quite considered feasible. Through innovative creations, AI art can act as a starting point for creatives to develop their ideas and look at things from a different perspective. Beyond visual art, AI has the power to generate art in the form of music. Unlimited by a physical body, music created by AI could well be beyond what any human can ever produce or perform by themselves. With AI, possibilities which were once dismissed can now be explored.
AI and Humanity
Ultimately, whether AI’s ability to generate art is a creative force that inspires and delights, or a destructive force that threatens the livelihoods of creatives, lies in the hands of its user. Wielded properly, AI has proven itself as an indispensable tool which has improved convenience, accessibility and user-experiences in our daily lives. While art might be a relatively newer field in which AI is found, its potential to value-add to the human touch and human element of creativity is waiting to be tapped upon.
At BCD, we value innovation and creativity. If you’re looking for a team open to new ideas and new ways of doing things, feel free to contact us. At BCD, our focus is YOU.
