The question of whether AI art can be considered "real art" remains a topic of ongoing debate. In the article titled "Is AI art really art? This California gallery says yes" by Rachel Metz (2022), published by CNN Business, various perspectives are explored. This subject particularly interested me, given our recent engagement with DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney during the semester.
The article highlights a recent controversy when an image created with Midjourney won an art competition at the Colorado State Fair, stirring a reaction among traditional artists. Some argue that generative AI systems like DALL-E should be regarded as just another tool, akin to how artists have historically used past works to inspire new creations. Comparisons are drawn between AI-generated art and other mediums such as Photoshop and 3D printing, defending AI art as a legitimate form of artistic expression.
One artist contends that generative AI tools like DALL-E offer an accessible means for individuals to express their thoughts and ideas, fostering the notion that art can be abundant. She believes that art is a reflection of love and emotions, which are abundant in themselves. While acknowledging the value of AI art as a tool for generating ideas that might be challenging to convey manually, she also recognizes that it may not require as much effort as traditional forms of art (Rachel Metz, 2022).
Personally, I lean towards the view that AI art can be considered a form of art, albeit with certain reservations. It can serve as a valuable tool for unlocking creative ideas that might otherwise be difficult to manifest. However, I hesitate to categorize it as a fully-fledged art form since it often does not demand the same level of effort and skill as creating a masterpiece through traditional means, such as painting or detailed drawing.
In the end, the question of whether AI art is truly art is subjective and ultimately lies in the hands of the individual. Each person will have their own criteria and perspectives when defining what constitutes art. As with many artistic debates, there may never be a definitive answer.
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