Creativity in Times of AI

"Create a nature scene reclaiming space in a dystopian setting, rendered in the style of a painting."

If you input this prompt into your preferred image generator, the resulting image will likely resemble the one above.

In the blink of an eye, your imagination becomes reality. Isn't that satisfying? At this point, there is likely no one doubting the endless possibilities AI offers, especially after OpenAI's release of Sora, a text-to-video generator. The possibilities expand even further. Sooner or later, we will likely see the first fully AI-animated movie on Netflix and other platforms. We can create more with less. From an economic standpoint, this beautifully exemplifies the principle of minimalism. But some might ask, is this truly art?

By definition, art refers in the broadest sense to any developed human activity based on knowledge, practice, perception, imagination, and intuition. In a narrower sense, it refers to the results of deliberate human activity that are not clearly defined by function. According to this definition, art appears to be a privilege exclusive to humans. However, when we observe the animal kingdom, we also see forms of art. For instance, some bird species perform intricate dances to impress potential mates and deter competitors. This behavior encompasses elements mentioned in the definition, albeit without the human aspect.

In a broader context, even AI fulfills the criteria for creating art. What does this mean for artists worldwide? What does it mean for me? Having a tool whose imagination spans from DaVinci to Picasso. To be candid, it means nothing. Why, you might ask? Because we, the artists, will not cease creating art. It is ingrained within us to create and to perceive things in novel or alternative ways.

While AI enables you to create things you desire, or may desire, and mostly those you can articulate, creating art isn't always straightforward. When engaging in any form of artistic expression, your character, your past, everything that defines you, permeates the process and manifests in your art. Sometimes, you may not comprehend the art you create, yet you persist. Why? Because you recognize it as your purpose. Thus, describing something you do not fully understand yourself becomes quite challenging, if not impossible.

The images generated by AI may be visually stunning, but they often fail to evoke the deep sense of satisfaction that comes from within—at least for me. My hypothesis is that while anyone can generate such images using the same prompt, no one can replicate your life experiences or infuse the art you create with the same passion and emotion as you.

In conclusion, AI is an incredible tool that, in my opinion, can produce art. However, it does not pose a threat to any artist who invests their innermost being into their craft. Be creative, be unique, because you are.

Kind Regards,

jrdti