The Definition of Artificial Intelligence in the Art World
The world we live in is constantly evolving, and art is not immune to this change. Artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the way we think about creativity, and we’re now seeing its impact on the production of artistic content too. Simply put, AI-generated art is any art produced by a computer or machine without the involvement of human intervention.
Experts define artificial intelligence as a subfield of computer science concerned with the development of machines that are able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. AI art generators utilize these abilities in their programming to create unique and innovative pieces of artwork.
AI-generated art is still in its early stages, but it’s worth exploring, as it represents an entirely new way of approaching the concept of creativity. However, it’s not without its controversies, and some people are skeptical about its potential. In this article, we’ll explore the rise of AI creativity, its potential applications, and the controversies surrounding it.
The Potential of AI Creativity
AI-generated art has enormous potential for creating unique and innovative artistic works that could not exist otherwise. Here are some potential applications of AI creativity in the art world:
1. Increased Creativity
One of the most significant potentials of AI creativity is that by using algorithms, it can generate forms and visual designs that humans are unable to realize. The algorithm can create what we would consider to be more complex and intricate designs that humans would have been otherwise unable to create. The human being, on the other hand, can use the AI-generated designs and add his or her own personal touch.
This also has the potential to allow artists to access previously untapped creative abilities since AI can explore new and complex patterns and ideas. Thus, AI-generated art may inspire more creativity in humans, which in turn gives birth to even better art.
2. Faster and More Efficient Art Creation
Creating art is a time-consuming process that usually requires an artist’s undivided attention and focus. With the help of AI, artists can increase their efficiency by outsourcing certain tasks to machines. For instance, the computer can complete repetitive tasks and create art designs at a faster speed with a level of precision that is impossible for humans to achieve alone.
Consequently, artists have more time for focusing on other creative tasks, such as ideation and interpretation. This means that artists can produce art at a faster rate and can take on more projects than they might have otherwise been able to complete effectively.
3. Accessible Art for All
By using AI in art creation, it can make it easier and more affordable to make art accessible for everyone. The AI-generated art can be produced in large quantities and be sold for lesser money than hand-painted by humans. Thus, this could provide affordable art for a wider range of individuals.
The Controversies of AI Creativity
Despite the potential for AI creativity, there’s also a lot of controversies surrounding its influence on the art world. Below are some of the criticisms:
1. Lack of Humanity
The most significant potential downside of AI-generated art is that it lacks human touch that we would get from handmade art. From the human perspective, with the involvement of machines, art lovers and critics argue that the use of AI results in a “cold” and “mechanical” outcome, devoid of soul and spontaneity.
At present, AI lacks the ability to experience emotions and inject human experience into its art, but as technology evolves, this may change. Thus, in this regard, the use of AI may not be universally welcomed in the art community, and it may require a change of perspective to consider it as a true form of art.
2. Lack of Originality
Another challenge of AI creativity is its potential for lacking originality. The AI system can create masterpieces that are similar to existing works of art since the machine has been “trained” with patterns and designs that are already in existence.
On the other hand, in the search for the new, AI often ironically produces forms that are identical or very similar to recognised style or artists, such as Jackson Pollock or Salvador Dali. Critics argue that the generated output lacks uniqueness and detracts from the value of original art. Hence, the credibility of AI-artwork as original work of an artist is often questioned.
3. Ethics of AI Art Creation
Another controversy of AI creativity is the question of ethics. One of the most significant challenges is unchecked intellectual property ownership, who owns the AI-generated artwork. The controversy on ownership has led to legal debates on whether the artist behind the AI system or the programmer of the algorithm or company that owns the machine should own the copyright.
Indeed, as the use of AI in art becomes more widespread, the need to address ethical issues, including accountability, transparency, and copyright ownership, will become more critical. These ethical issues are challenging to regulate at this moment given the current situation where AI art is still in its beginning stages.
Real Life Examples of AI Creativity
While the idea of artificial intelligence in art may seem novel, it is already present in our world today. Here are some examples of AI-powered art projects:
1. The Next Rembrandt
In 2016, global banking group ING and Dutch research institute TU Delft worked together to create a 3D-printed painting inspired by Rembrandt to celebrate 400 years since the artist’s birth. Using deep learning technology, the team created the artwork entirely from Rembrandt’s existing works and is so authentic that even the experts found it challenging to differentiate it from Rembrandt’s original work.
2. DABUS- The Robot of Einstein
In 2018, a secretive AI network named “Device for the Autonomous Bootstrapping of Unified Sentience” (DABUS) created by researcher Dr. Stephen Thaler made headlines when it asked for a patent given it was the creator of two new inventions. These inventions were a folding container based on fractal geometry and a flashing warning light based on machine learning. The creation of AI has raised significant questions on what constitutes a creator and where IP ownership should belong.
3. Girl with Balloon by Banksy
March 2019 saw an artwork by Banksy’ shredding live auction right after it got sold for $1.4 million, as the artwork was fitted with a mechanical device that activated as soon it got sold, destroying the artwork in the process. The artist himself has acknowledged that the device was created using AI.
4. Neural Style Transfer Art
Created by artist Leon A. Gatys, this technology uses a neural network to mix two graphic sources. The AI module transfers the style of one image to the content of another, creating an entirely new Art-form that is unique and different from any other current art. The system has also been used in architecture to create new building designs.
The Future of AI Creativity
The future of AI creativity is a topic of immense interest. As AI technology advances, we can expect to see new and exciting developments that push the boundaries of what we consider to be creative and human-made. But what does that future look like? Here are some predictions:
1. Increased Use of AI in Art Creation
As we move further into the future, it is expected that AI will become more widely used in art, leading to more innovative, imaginative, and intriguing artworks. We can expect AI-generated art to adorn our walls, revolutionize advertising through digital automation, and play a significant role in the film and gaming industries. This has already been astutely proven by Netflix’s new show ‘Love Death and Robots’ which combines computer-generated imagery with traditional animation to create breathtaking environments and stories.
2. Human and AI Collaboration
There is an increasing trend of artists collaborating with AI engines to create innovative artwork that involves the best of both worlds – human creativity and algorithmic accuracy. Art generated by AI algorithms can inspire and encourage the human artist’s creative force to enhance and expand further.
Thus, “human-AI collaboration” is expected to make significantly profitable contributions to entertainment, architecture, fashion, interior décor, and more. With AI helping to generate design templates, structures, colour schemes, and other visual aesthetics, human artists can take the next level and infuse their own creativity.
3. Advancements in AI Technology
As AI technology evolves, we can expect to see more sophisticated and smarter iterations of AI art. Rather than being a simple tool that helps artists create their work, AI will become an intelligent partner that has more autonomy to create and explore art on its own.
We can also expect the use of more complex deep learning techniques such as reinforcement learning, capsule networks that are currently being experimented with.
Conclusion
The use of AI in art is a relatively new concept that has not yet been fully embraced by the larger society. Nevertheless, AI-generated art has many benefits, which include increased creativity, efficiency, and accessibility. On the other hand, skepticism and criticism surrounding its authenticity remain evident. Regardless, we need to be reminded that AI is still the new kid on the block, and while it isn’t perfect, it is a sign of progress and the ever-growing capabilities of technology.
With its potential to push the boundaries of art and the remarkable advancements in AI technology, the possibilities for AI creativity are endless. As it continues to shape the art industry, we can expect to see more creative works brought to life in new, exciting and unexpected ways.
So, stay tuned, keep your eyes wide open, and appreciate the growth and struggle that comes along with the revolution of AI creativity as we look forward to seeing what the future holds and how it shapes the modern world.
See you again in another interesting article.
