Can Art exist without Humanity?: A conversation about the controversy of AI in the creative space.
The intersection of art and technology has given rise to a fascinating debate: can artificial intelligence (AI) programs truly create art that resonates with humanity, or does art’s essence rely on the human touch? As we delve deeper into the world of AI-generated art, it becomes evident that while AI can produce remarkable and captivating pieces such as the Théâtre D’opéra Spatial, it raises profound questions about the soul and creativity that lie at the heart of human artistry and whether art can truly exist without humanity.
Art has always been a testament to the human spirit, a medium through which we express our emotions, thoughts, and experiences. The question of whether AI can contribute to this realm hinges on its ability to replicate, simulate, or even transcend the qualities that make art a unique and profound human endeavor. One aspect of AI-generated art that has captured the world’s attention is its ability to produce deeply engaging, visually striking, and conceptually intriguing art. Algorithms and machine learning have allowed AI to create impressive artworks, from paintings to sculptures, and even music compositions. These AI-generated works have been displayed in prestigious art galleries, sold for substantial sums at auctions, and sparked conversations about the evolving definition of art.
While many users have embraced this supercharged creative potential — armed with the correctly refined prompt, even novices can now create arresting digital canvases — Even before AI, there were those who argued that creating digital art was a form of cutting corners, as it lacked the tactile feel and permanence of traditional methods. The quote in question underscores this evolution, highlighting the dichotomy between the embrace of AI creative potential and the reservations some artists harbor about technology’s capacity for mimicry. Among the prompts entered into image generators Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, many tag an artist’s name in order to ensure a more aesthetically pleasing style for the resulting image. Something as mundane as a bowl of oranges can become eye-catching if rendered in the style of, say, Dave H Dale. Because the AI has been trained on billions of images, some of which are copyrighted works by living artists, it can generally create a pretty faithful approximation. Some are outraged at what they consider theft of their artistic trademark. Greg Rutkowski, a concept artist and illustrator well known for his golden-light-infused epic fantasy scenes, has already been mentioned in hundreds of thousands of prompts used across such generators. “It’s been just a month. What about in a year? I probably won’t be able to find my work out there because [the internet] will be flooded with AI art,” Rutkowski told MIT Technology Review. “That’s concerning.”
A most recent controversy was sparked by Disney’s use of AI in their recent Marvel shows Loki and Secret Invasion. The studio insisted its use of AI tools didn’t reduce the number or nature of roles for human designers on the project — “there’s so much Marvel Universe content that human designers were probably too busy to create a title sequence”. Architect and urban planner Moshe Safdie argued, however, that while the rise of AI in the art world raises questions about the authenticity of AI-generated art, it can also be seen as a tool for human artists to explore new creative horizons. Many artists are embracing AI as a means to augment their artistic process. They use AI to experiment with different styles, generate ideas, or even automate certain repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more intricate aspects of their craft. In this sense, AI is a complementary tool for human artists rather than a replacement. A popular digital artist Kiel Orji explains in a controversial tweet “Haven’t drawn by hand since April…this lets me focus on getting my name out there…gives me time to apply for grants, jobs, workshops and all.”
The question of whether art can exist without humanity is a profound one. While AI has demonstrated its capacity to create visually stunning and conceptually intriguing works of art, it often falls short in capturing the deep emotional resonance, personal connection, and profound context that human art embodies. AI-generated art is a testament to the capabilities of technology, but it cannot replace the rich tapestry of human creativity.
Art is a reflection of the human spirit, a medium through which we express our emotions, experiences, and perceptions of the world. AI can contribute to the art world, but it cannot replace the soul, depth, and authenticity that human artists bring to their work. Ultimately, art’s essence is deeply intertwined with humanity, and as AI continues to evolve, it serves as a reminder of the irreplaceable role that humans play in the creation of it.
