The AI Elephant in the Room.

Nelly thinks Ai is very cool

Before addressing the topic of artificial intelligence in the art world, let us take a moment to reflect on the past. In the late 1980s, I had the opportunity to exhibit my surreal art at a local library. This was a significant milestone for me as a young artist, confident that my acrylic on board creations was exactly what the world needed. Unfortunately, they did not receive the expected acclaim, highlighting the wonderful naivety of youth.

One day, a local art group visited the exhibition and observed my collection of approximately ten framed pieces. As I discreetly listened to their feedback, they were unaware that the peculiar gothic individual in the corner was the artist. Some appreciated the works, others were simply pleased to see an alternative to the usual local landscapes, while a few openly criticized the pieces as 'talentless rubbish' and questioned whether it constituted 'real art.'

This, naturally, raises the question: what is real art, and who has the authority to define it?

The art world in the latter half of the 20th century was marked by elitism and exclusivity. 'Modern art' was often ridiculed by the masses as it became a realm of investment for the wealthy, which served to alienate work even more from the lives of the public. The artists who often started off as poor were seen as key players in this pretentious world, a world many saw as an elaborate hoax comparable to 'the king's new clothes'. These wealthy patrons determined the value of art, and who was in and who was out. Those who had the right 'look' or could spin a compelling story about their work were often elevated to star status; however, very few of these ‘new masters’ were ever recognised outside their elite sphere of influence.

The internet later democratised art, allowing outsider artists to showcase their work and earn a humbler living. However, these more conventional artists, despite their talents and often public popularity, were still sidelined as irrelevant and boring by the art world. Art is and has always been multifaceted: simple decoration for some, while for others a tool for communication and emotional expression.

The subjective nature of art ensures that no definitive answer exists to the question ‘what’s good art and who gets to say’. This subjectivity is crucial to remember when we start discussing AI-generated imagery, as let’s face it, after centuries we still haven’t reached any kind of consensus on what art is.

I personally started using AI image generators in mid-2022 when they became available for the great unwashed, lol, decades after creating my first digital works with all their flaws in the early 90s at the Art Institute of Seattle (USA). I have always embraced new tech all the way back to the 80s when I spent my first pay packets on synthesizers and drum machines. Back then, the musical world was in an uproar that these ‘soulless machines’ would kill live music.

That never really happened; in fact, you could say that classical music is more popular and accessible to everyday people than it ever was in the 70s and 80s. Sure, bedrooms across the world are filled with budding EDM composers trying to create the next Ibiza smash on their laptops, but also people still play real instruments and yes, many do both.

So, AI imagery has opened the gate to a tsunami of possibilities for anyone with a computer or phone, and the art world is in a state of shock and disbelief that people could even dare to call this ‘crap’ ART.

So, to the reality check: the AI artist will, like the synth musicians of the 70s and 80s, face years of derision from anyone that made money from the pre-AI paradigm.

Cries of ‘The sky is falling’ will always come fast on the heels of anything new. AI art has ushered in one of the biggest earthquakes since the invention of the camera itself. Many will say, yes, but you still need skill to take a ‘good’ photo. I would concur you do; however, photography in its early days was more akin to alchemy than the creation tool we have come to love.

It is a common phenomenon that individuals often disparage those who are perceived as threatening their livelihood. The historical impact of new inventions on people’s lives has been immense and cannot be fully comprehended.

In the United Kingdom, a post-industrial country, millions have faced unemployment due to advancements in robotics and digitalization. Nevertheless, many of those previously dismissed as dreamers now find ways to sustain themselves through social platforms such as YouTube, blogs, and podcasts.

Frequently, innovations that have led to job losses have simultaneously enabled others to pursue activities once deemed impossible for an individual. We must acknowledge the opportunities available to those who can achieve remarkable feats despite perceived limitations.

Imagination is paramount it has shaped every aspect of our current existence. From the invention of the wheel to the development of the combustion engine, satellites, and even household items like kettles, all stemmed from imaginative minds often considered eccentric.

It is arguable that artificial intelligence can enhance the pace of invention, as inventors may lack artistic skills or the eloquence to effectively communicate their visions. AI provides opportunities for individuals unable to illustrate or storyboard their ideas, facilitating the creation of objects and worlds otherwise inconceivable.

It is essential to recognise that tools are not the essence of art; they merely facilitate its creation. Ideas are the foundation, and without them, nothing comes into existence. Regardless of whether pigments are applied with moss and sticks on a cave wall, neon spray cans are used to tag subway trains, or a supercomputer is rendering Hollywood 3D effects, no matter what people use it is only ever a tool.

In conclusion, despite any apprehension surrounding AI and the ease it provides in creating impressive art, human expectations have significantly evolved. What amazed us yesterday may soon be considered rudimentary, akin to that cave art. Once the creative minds fully integrate AI, moving beyond mere experimentation, and begin truly harnessing it alongside other digital tools, the possibilities of what can be created are boundless. It is my hope that we do not compromise our planet before discovering what lies beyond this new horizon.

In my opinion, AI represents evolution for artists, not extinction.