How will AI-generated works of art impact creativity?

Artificial intelligence has become a controversial topic in the art space in 2022 and 2023, with many arguing that it reduces human creativity. On the other hand, you'll find others arguing that it's not all bad - and that, in fact, AI can help artists maximize their potential.

We have seen that AI, from its early days, has impacted the field of art. But how will that continue in the future? Let's look at both the positive and negative effects of AI on creativity.

Positive aspects of AI for creativity

While there are many scenarios depicting the worst-case scenario for AI and innovation, things aren't really that gloomy. This technology can have many positive impacts.

1. AI can be used as a prototype for projects developed by humans

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We've seen how ChatGPT has been naturally used for effective ideation, such as coming up with ideas for blog topics. And when it comes to visual arts, AI art can be used when prototyping human-developed projects.

You can use Midjourney to create amazing AI art. As a photographer, you can plan fashion and street photography, and as an illustrator, you can use different prompts to inspire your drawings own.

Once you have an idea of ​​what you can create, you can work more efficiently.

2. Encourage breakthrough thinking

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One of the sure signs that you are on the creative path is having breakthrough ideas. In that situation, exploring new ideas can help you take your creativity to the next level.

AI has the potential not only in prototype design but also in providing inspiration for future projects. You can keep track of these ideas on secret boards on Pinterest and refer to them whenever you need to.

3. Human-made works of art may be more valuable

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Many critics of AI art have argued that things created by AI devalue human art. And when you consider how advanced some AI artworks are at first glance, it's easy to see why this opinion has arisen. But those with opposing views will argue that the development of AI art actually brings more value to human-created art.

With this in mind, art professionals, such as collectors and gallery owners, are also capable of recognizing what is created by AI. As a result, they will have a better appreciation of how long it takes people to master a skill.

4. AI still needs human input to learn

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Currently, AI still needs human support to learn. With that in mind, AI art creation is limited in its development.

Although AI will become more advanced in the coming decades, it will still be difficult to replicate human creativity.

5. Reduces the learning curve for new artists

One of the biggest benefits of technology is that it reduces the learning curve for new aspiring artists. And with the rise of AI art, new creators will be able to learn the basics of their profession faster.

We talked earlier about using AI to develop prototypes, and new artists can use these prototypes to get an idea of ​​how they want to shape their own style. Once they learn the fundamentals of their field, these artists will find it easier to bring their creations to life. And as a result, we can expect to see even more talented creators emerge in the future.

The negative effects of AI on creativity

While AI can have a positive impact on creativity, the downsides that this technology can cause cannot be ignored.

1. The risk of everything becoming similar

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One of the biggest concerns about AI is that because it is easy to copy, everything can become similar. However, when there are many similar works of art, a positive effect may be that more people may crave authenticity - meaning that authentic artists will still have the success they deserve.

2. Some people may devalue people's artistic skills

To master any creative skill, it takes many years. Besides the technical aspect, you also need to present your ideas and emotions.

Considering that you can create AI art in a short amount of time, some people argue that the years of dedication to becoming a successful artist may become worthless. Furthermore, there's a risk that aspiring artists will become bored or complacent - meaning we never get to see their true skills.

3. The problem of exploiting existing works of art

AI art has real ethical concerns that many creators have been quick to address. The exploitation of existing art is one of the most controversial topics and it can be quite infuriating when your work is exploited.

This issue raises the question of attribution to artists. Furthermore, some may argue that it completely devalues ​​the effort someone has put into creating a painting, photograph, or other form of art.

As AI continues to exist, it is important that we have an honest conversation about the issue of exploiting existing works of art and the ethics of this. If you're an artist, you can take steps to protect your images from AI art generators.

4. Copyright issues

Another point worth mentioning about AI art and creativity revolves around copyright issues. Artists have had to deal with others using their work without permission for years - for example, many social media accounts have taken people's content without giving them credit.

To non-artists, it may seem like creative people are being overly sensitive to issues of this kind. But the reality is that if someone has spent years on their work, they have the right to be upset about others using or copying what they've created.

Like the ethical issues surrounding data collection, it must be acknowledged that the copyright difficulties surrounding AI works of art are still quite thorny.

David Pac

Update 16 October 2023