Is AI Art Really Art?

I began think about the question, “Is AI Art Really Art?” after I discovered that many art galleries and artist associations won’t accept AI art.  At the same time, some artists creating AI art are making many thousands of dollars from selling their work, and a growing number of online galleries are selling AI art, though only a handful of physical galleries with such work exist, mainly in a few countries in Europe.  Meanwhile, many thousands of AI artists are using programs like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E, Leonardo, and Night Café.

Recently I have even found a growing acceptance of my own AI artwork – such as being an exhibitor in the Danville Arts Fling in June and in the Stories We Tell Exhibit at the Orinda Library Art Gallery from September through October.  Plus an exhibit curator invited me to be part of a pop-up gallery which will include a large section devoted to AI art. And when I went to a reception at the Orinda Art Gallery on October 5, several dozen attendees indicated they were fascinated and impressed except for one young musician who commented: “Why is this here? This isn’t art.” Thus, with an occasional exception, it seems like acceptance is growing, much as has happened with every new art form and technology.

            So given the question about the legitimacy of AI art, I thought it only fitting to ask AI about the arguments pro and con, a follow-up to my earlier question about the pros and cons of using AI today. Here’s what AI had to say, which makes a strong case for considering AI art to really be art.  Though judge for yourself.

            First I asked, “I want to write an article on ‘Is AI Art Really Art?’" Can you write the arguments for AI being really art or not. Please indicate the pros and cons of whether it should be considered real art today, You can include quotes from experts or general attitudes today towards AI as well as the number of artists doing AI art.”

            Here’s what AI had to say.

Is AI Art Really Art?

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a powerful tool in various creative fields, including art. The question of whether AI-generated creations should be considered "real" art has sparked intense debate in the art world, raising philosophical, aesthetic, and practical concerns. Below are the key arguments on both sides of this discussion.

Arguments for AI Art Being Considered Real Art

1. Creativity and Originality

   • AI can produce innovative, unique works of art. Many proponents argue that creativity is not limited to humans. Algorithms generate pieces that are sometimes indistinguishable from human-made works or offer completely new visual styles.

   • Mario Klingemann, a pioneer in AI art, stated: “AI art allows us to discover new artistic expressions. Machines can analyze and reinterpret existing forms in ways that might never have crossed a human mind.”

2. Human Input

   • AI art still involves significant human intervention. Artists guide the algorithm, set parameters, and often choose or edit the final output. Therefore, the human element in AI-generated art is undeniable. Artists like Refik Anadol use AI to create mesmerizing data-driven visual pieces, combining technological mastery with human intent and vision.

   • AI tools can be viewed as extensions of traditional tools like a paintbrush or camera, only more sophisticated.

3. Evolution of Art Forms

   • Throughout history, art has continuously evolved with technology. Photography and digital art were once questioned but are now accepted as legitimate forms of artistic expression. AI art could be seen as the next stage in this evolution, pushing boundaries and expanding the definition of art itself.

   • Critics like Ahmed Elgammal, an expert in AI and art, argue that “as with any new technology, it’s the artists who shape what it becomes. AI art is just another tool, like the camera was in photography’s early days.”

4. Global Access and Democratization

   • AI lowers barriers to artistic creation. It allows people who may lack traditional artistic skills to participate in the creative process. This democratization could lead to a more diverse and inclusive art world.

Arguments Against AI Art Being Considered Real Art

1. Lack of Conscious Intent

   • One of the strongest arguments against AI-generated art is that it lacks consciousness and intentionality. Traditional art involves a deliberate act of creation, where the artist pours their emotions, experiences, and worldview into their work. AI, in contrast, follows predefined patterns and algorithms, devoid of emotional depth or personal intention.

   • Critics like art historian Claire Bishop have pointed out that art is more than aesthetics—it is about communication and emotional resonance. She argues, "Without the intentionality of human experience and personal storytelling, AI art might be beautiful, but it lacks the depth we expect from true works of art."

2. Reproducibility and Lack of Uniqueness

   • Another critique is that AI-generated art can be easily replicated or altered at scale. Because algorithms can generate variations or new pieces at will, the uniqueness that is often intrinsic to traditional art may be diminished. Many AI systems can create thousands of iterations with a click, reducing the idea of “the artist’s hand” being present in each work.

3. Questions of Authorship and Ownership

   • A fundamental question arises: Who is the artist? Is it the programmer who coded the AI, the machine itself, or the person who initiates the algorithm? These blurred lines complicate how society defines an artist.

   • Jason Allen, an AI artist who won a fine arts competition with an AI-generated piece, faced backlash. Critics questioned whether it was his art or the work of the AI system he used, raising ethical and philosophical debates over ownership.

4. Potential for Loss of Human Touch

   • Some fear that AI-generated art threatens to overshadow or replace human artists. As AI becomes more advanced, there is concern that the personal and often flawed aspects of human-made art—which can be an essential part of its charm—may be lost in the pursuit of machine-generated perfection.

The Current Landscape of AI Art

As of today, the presence of AI in the art world is undeniable. According to Artnet, AI art has become a growing trend, with sales of AI-generated works fetching high prices at auctions. In 2018, Christie's sold a piece titled Portrait of Edmond de Belamy, created by a Paris-based collective called Obvious using a generative adversarial network (GAN), for $432,500—far surpassing its estimated price.

Thousands of artists are now experimenting with AI to produce artwork. Platforms like Artbreeder and tools like DALL·E have popularized AI-based creativity, enabling both seasoned and novice artists to explore new artistic frontiers.

A 2023 survey found that around 20,000 artists worldwide identify themselves as working primarily with AI as part of their creative practice. This number is expected to grow as tools become more accessible and more artists experiment with the possibilities.

Conclusion

The debate about whether AI-generated art should be considered "real" art is unlikely to be settled soon. Proponents argue that AI art represents an exciting new frontier that democratizes creativity and pushes the boundaries of what art can be. Critics, however, raise valid concerns about the lack of emotional depth, intentionality, and authorship in AI-generated works.

Ultimately, as with any technological advancement, time will tell whether AI art will be fully accepted alongside traditional forms of artistic expression, or if it will remain a controversial and niche subfield in the art world.

            So what do you think?  Is AI art real art or not? 

Since I have been creating AI art for nearly two years, first with Midjourney and then Night Café, and have created over 600 finished art pieces, which I have displayed in videos and framed some images for exhibition, I think it is a valid expression of art that should be judged by the finished image.  Such images are the result of creative thought by an artist crafting the text prompts to indicate the picture’s content and the art style that expresses that content. There are still other issues to be decided about whether AI art can be copyrighted (currently it can’t be) and what happens when AI art is combined with traditionally created art to produce the final image. Still another big controversy is how to compensate and recognize the artists whose work has been used to generate the billions of images that are drawn upon to produce the final artwork one an AI platform. Plus there is the problem of the many artists, as well as writers, put out of work as former employers use AI instead of them.  These issues are now being dealt with by extensive discussion and litigation.  But ultimately, I think the pressure to accept AI art will grow, much as happened with other new technologies and new art styles.

In embracing this AI technology to create art, I have also been incorporating AI in my work as a writer, film producer, and ghostwriter.  I have found it helpful as an additional tool for writing books, scripts, articles, and other copy, though I still have to edit and polish whatever AI writes.  I even have created and produced a film on the development of AI, AI Evolution, and have written a book about many AI-related crimes in Scams in the Digital Age, published by American Leadership Books and soon to become a film. So I have to thank AI for these many new opportunities, even as many writers and artists are struggling because their clients and work assignments have declined. Yet, they might use AI themselves to find new ways to contribute or train for new occupations.

Thus, even if you decide that AI can create real art, still many issues and conflicts remain about the pros and cons of AI.

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For more information and to schedule interviews, email or call:

Karen Andrews

Executive Assistant

Changemakers Publishing and Writing

San Ramon, CA 94583

(925) 804–6333

Changemakerspub@att.net

www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com

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Gini Graham Scott, Ph.D. is the author of over 50 books with major publishers and has published 200 books through her company Changemakers Publishing and Writing (http://www.changemakerspublishingandwriting.com). She writes books, proposals, and film scripts for clients, and has written and produced 18 feature films and documentaries, including Conned: A True Story and Con Artists Unveiled¸ distributed by Gravitas Ventures. (http://www.changemakersproductionsfilms.com). Her latest books include Ghost Story and How to Find and Work with a Good Ghostwriter published by Waterside Productions; The Big Con, I Was Scammed, Scams in the Digital Age, and Love and Sex in Prison, published by American Leadership Press; and Ask the AI Wizard, published by J. Michael Publishing.