A Discussion on A.I. Artwork

We all know that A.I. won’t be going away anytime soon. Some argue that it can be used as a tool to get a head start while some see it as a cheap way to do so without putting in the effort. Here I want to include the arguments I’ve seen both for and against A.I. along with my own input and opinions.

A.I. now being able to generate Works In Progress give concerns to artists who use this method to prove their work is real.

Accessibility

One argument I see is the accessibility and letting those without the budget to generate A.I. artwork. While this is a great sentiment, especially during a time where we are experiencing inflation and slow growth in wages. I’m not sure if A.I. art is necessity. While we like to have nice, convenient things at a low cost, there are lots of artists out there struggling to pay their own bills who can offer these services for around the same price. And besides, wouldn’t you agree throwing $8 at a real human trying to survive is much better than throwing it at a computer who doesn’t even eat?

However, that is where my argument is strictly ethical in nature. I can’t expect everyone to see this in the same way as I do particularly because I’m directly affected by it so I have a clear bias here. Plus, I’m not going to pretend I don’t also feed into the capitalist machine we are currently living in. I suppose art is just special because it is what makes us human after all. (Isn’t that a Star Trek Episode?)

Imperfections

Another argument I see for A.I. art (which can easily be used as one against A.I as well) is that there’s no way it can replace artists because of the fact it’s flawed in a lot of it’s renditions. Such as hands, feet, eyes and strange merging of objects and shapes. While this is true, replacement is still actively happening. There will always be work for artists in one capacity or another and there will always be people who want to pay for real art. However, that pool has significantly decreased now. Plus, if we’re being honest here, those who genuinely love and appreciate art are far and few between. If you’re one of the rare ones reading this, we appreciate you but in my own experience, people tend to lean into the cheap and commodified versions of things. Me included.

A few unnerving and strange outcomes of A.I. art.

It’s just another tool - it’s like when photography was invented

A.I. is just another tool in an artists’ belt. I won’t argue against this one per se, however I do have opinions. (ain’t that just the way) I can see A.I. being used as a tool and nothing more. I think that’s healthy progress and probably will help those who are wanting to adapt to the ever increasing fast-paced environment that our world seems to be spiraling into. In addition, I do think it will stay separate or at least I hope it will. Especially in things like competitions or juried shows. (Once things catch up… hopefully soon) Just as photography and traditional paintings tend to be separated in this way. I don’t think I’ll use A.I. as a base for any of my drawings. Mostly because of what is happening now with things like Lensa and Stable Diffusion. Just the amount of stolen art being used to train A.I. without consent of the artists… I wouldn’t mind utilizing it as something to generate inspiration… but right now, I just can’t condone it. which leads us to our next point.

Copyright!!

Copyright Copyright Copyright. Tired of seeing that word, yet? This is the biggest issue I’ve encountered. For example, a few people online argue that “fanart” is technically the same thing as using A.I. Or that you signed all your rights away when you clicked yes on a consent form while signing up for online services. I’m going to rebuke with this; fanart is easily attributed to the original franchises most of the time. If someone is drawing pictures of Batman. Most people know where Batman comes from, who owns the character and, if you’re a real fan, all of the artists who have given him life. A.I. art likes to take sources indescriminately and mash it all together. Most people wouldn’t be able to attribute any of the original works unless credits were given (which let’s be honest. Lots of A.I. “artists” aren’t doing this. Nor do they really care where the art comes from.) As far as “signing off” on our data. I get that a lot of people do this without a second thought. However, I don’t think that gives companies any right to profit off your art without your explicit consent. (Like Lensa and Stable Diffusion) No matter what. I understand companies will do everything to try and skirt past being transparent, yet maybe this is a lesson that we can learn and fight for some change. But I’m no lawyer and I certainly don’t know the ins and outs of the legal system like some of these companies do.

However, in addition to this… there is a basic copyright law called the “Berne Convention.” That literally mitigates this idea that you “sign your rights away to your images.” People have to state their intent when using any and all images to an individual unless it is stated outright that it is in the public domain.

You can read more about that here: https://blog.hootsuite.com/understanding-image-copyright/

This is also where I sourced this image:

Understanding Copyright - Sourced from Hootsuite

Humanization of A.I.

Believe it or not, I have seen some people say that Artificial Intelligence is it’s own entity and should be able to have its’ work labelled as art in the grander scheme of things. Perhaps when A.I. is more like Data (Star Trek: Next Generation) I would I be inclined to say so. However, right now it’s literally just a jumble of rules, prompts and 0’s and 1’s inputted into a computer. It’s rudimentary and almost certaintly isn’t conscious in the way we are. We could dive deep into the philosophy of Artificial Intelligence. But, that’s probably a whole other article and a half. I can agree that maybe the art does belong more to the A.I. than to the person inputting the prompts though. Just my opinion there.

In conclusion, I think you all know where I lean on this subject. I’m not anti-A.I. However, the exploitation of artists in this space needs to stop and this is where most of my distaste of it lies. We are already consistently taken advantage of in all sorts of industries and this whole A.I. thing definitely stepped on those already frayed nerves we’ve been nursing. However, This is whole debate is a good one to have as we trek ever more boldly into the realm of science and commodification. My advice, keep creating. No matter what. Enjoy the human experience by learning the basics of art rather than generating it. If that’s too much, have fun with the A.I. just don’t claim it’s your own since it’s really not.