AI will likely continue its expansion as essential tool of artists

AI art is actually nothing new. The first use of AI to help an artist create art emerged in the 1840s with the help of the work of Countess Ada Lovelace. She merged her creative and mathematician ambitions to come up with the idea of computer programming and creative coding working with English mathematician Charles Babbage on something called the Analytical Engine, which is generally considered the first computer. This analytical engine was eventually incorporated into improving the Jacquard loom by using punch cards to automate the process of weaving, which drastically changed the textiles industry in the 1850s by taking in punch card instructions from the weaver for whether to stitch or not into the textile, even when to change threads.

Nowadays, AI apps are used to improve the constant flow of our narcissistic selfies! Some are made by using the Lensa app and taking a picture and adding extreme filters to the image. People are calling it out as being uncreative and possibly an even worse contributor to modern societies: obsession for perfection. The biggest dispute surrounding AI is if it can be called true art. There are many traditional artists who insist that AI art is completely soulless. Opinions about the emerging tool of AI are strong on both sides of love and hate.

According to yahoo, a viral clip has recently gained more views on its website in an article about the legendary Japanese animation director Hayao Miyazaki and his reaction to an employees recommending that they look into AI as a way to accelerate their process of completing a huge project that was experiencing many delays.The video originally appeared in a 2016 NHK documentary series by Kaku Arukawa, which focused on Miyazaki and his work at his animation studio, Studio Ghibli. In the clip, the outspoken director denounces an animated video made by AI. Miyazaki explained in the video “I am utterly disgusted. If you really want to make creepy stuff, you can go ahead and do it,” said the 81-year-old director. “I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. … I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.” He added, “It feels like the end of times.” 

Miyazaki comments have resurfaced in response to the recent art prize that was given to an artist for an AI art. Although the digital artist did not hide the fact it was AI created, traditional artists were very angry, as they felt it was unfair and did not follow the rules of original art requirements. The art was created by simply giving words and parameters of size to the mind journey app as reported by the New York Times. Other artists and art historians have a more positive view of the use of AI in art work. At the Iowa State University fine art program, associate professor of art history Dr. Sutton has a very precise acceptance of AI art when asked the question, “As an art historian do you think AI art is a real form of art and will have a place in art history?” She said, “I do think AI has a place in art making and art history. It’s a tool. At this point in time, a human still has to use the tool. How carefully, thoughtfully and interestingly they use the tool (or not) is what will be remembered.”

In the same department, her collaborator, performance art professor Jeff Rufus Byrd said, “I agree with Dr. Sutton that AI is a legitimate tool for artists to consider. I don’t, however, think the artist can’t rely solely on the tool to do the work. In the early 20th century, artists explored several strategies of utilizing chance to introduce surprising elements into the work. If artists only use what they can think of personally, their work might become repetitive and cliche. Chance elements can help to break those patterns, and AI can certainly do that, but you have to interact with it, interpret it, edit it, build on it, etc. If you just take what AI spits out, you will probably end up with some really generic version of abstraction or fantasy art that won’t hold up to repeated viewings. It’s cool for a 10 second meme.” 

Whatever the opinion, AI art is likely here to stay. Like many technology advances, it will evolve and change the way humans do things. New AI tools gather popularity every day, such as Dall-e mini, Stable, Diffusion and Midjourney just to name a few, so it is important that users are aware of privacy concerns. Users, young and old, need to know that there is evidence that companies can access your photos and use them in unflattering ways, including sexualization. Read the policies that most people click through without reading, before allowing access to your photo albums. Don’t be scared of AI technological advances, but be informed, and then get creative!

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