Is AI art a tool or a threat? | Culture | westerngazette.ca
For most students, using artificial intelligence doesn’t go beyond creating an essay outline. But for young creatives, AI is not just seen as a tool — it’s competition.
“Creatives are just so neglected already,” says Thalia Ma, a third-year visual arts student. “I see AI as an insult.”
With the rise of AI-generated images, it’s become increasingly difficult to tell what is machine-generated or human-made art. Instances such as the viral doctored Met Gala images of celebrities, including Katy Perry and Rihanna, highlight AI’s capabilities, raising concerns among young artists.
AI Art: A New Frontier
While Ma thinks AI-generated art can mimic specific artistic techniques or styles, she believes it lacks the same creativity and emotional depth as human art. What excites her about art is the story behind the creation, not just the final product.
Ruth Skinner, a professor at Western’s School for Advanced Studies in the Arts and Humanities, frequently teaches courses on digital literacy and visual culture. She explains that AI art involves software that can gather, remix and reproduce vast amounts of artistic content.
Challenges and Concerns
Skinner explains that softwares like DALL-E and Midjourney essentially “generate images based on existing images.” She notes the ethical concerns raised by using AI in art creation, questioning whether it takes away opportunities from human artists.
Emma Hardy, a third-year art and psychology student interested in pursuing a career in illustration and animation, worries about AI algorithms stealing her work. She finds that AI art promotes quantity over quality, taking away from true artistry.
The Impact on Art Platforms
Skinner says that websites like DeviantArt, a platform created for artists to share their work, have faced an influx of AI-generated art, prompting concerns among users. The saturation of AI art online diminishes the value and attention given to art posted by human artists.
“It’s creating art by just typing in words,” said Ma. “I feel like that’s not valuable. Anyone can do it.”
Embracing New Technology
Despite skepticism from some students, there are creatives like Sarah Al-Qaysi, a Toronto-based freelance architect, who have embraced AI in their work. Al-Qaysi uses AI as a tool for generating ideas and enhancing the creative process, advocating for responsible and credited use of the technology.
Looking Towards the Future
Despite mixed opinions, Skinner highlights that artists have always incorporated new technologies in their work and AI is no different. The focus should shift towards responsibly integrating AI into the creative process as it becomes an integral part of the artistic landscape.
