Did you know that in 2023, AI artwork sold for $432,500 — nearly 45 times its high estimate — as Christie’s became the first auction house to offer a work of art created by an algorithm? The art world is evolving rapidly with new digital technologies. Artists now have access to innovative tools like digital painting and 3D modelling, vastly expanding creative possibilities. As we navigate this blend of tradition and modernity, a crucial question emerges: Will traditional artists fully embrace this digital transformation or resist the change? We asked this and many more such serious questions to Delhi-NCR based Fluid Artist Navita Sharma. Read the exclusive conversation with The Think Pot on Visionary Voices this week.
How do you perceive the role of artificial intelligence in the creative process, particularly in the realm of digital art and design, and what potential benefits and challenges does AI pose for color artists?
AI-generated art, like that from Large Language Models (LLM), mimics human creativity but lacks the emotional depth and unique style of human-made art. While AI art is precise and consistent, it misses the personal touch and individuality that come from an artist’s experiences and emotions. The current trend of using AI for quick, cost-effective art threatens the artist community, who invest years honing their craft and expressing their passion.
AI-generated art is seen as a commodity, often duplicating original works in a fraction of the time. It lacks the connection to the artistic process, the materials, and the soul that human artists bring. Despite this, AI can be a helpful tool for generating ideas and saving time, especially for businesses and content creators. However, it should not be considered equal to human-made art.
Artists possess a unique voice and journey, often using their work to highlight important social issues. Copying their work with AI is unethical. It’s crucial to regulate how AI is used in art to ensure it doesn’t pass off as genuine human creativity. We must remember that AI, created by engineers without an intrinsic appreciation for art, should not blur the line between human and machine-made art.
From your experience, how does the pressure to excel in the digital media industry impact the mental health and well-being of color artists, especially considering the relentless pace of technological advancements and market demands?
In 2024, we must acknowledge that AI is a significant force in the art world, and it’s here to stay. This brings both challenges and opportunities. Many artists and art lovers are concerned that AI might replace human creativity or diminish the value of traditional art forms. They worry that as AI can create art quickly and cheaply, it might reduce the demand for human artists and potentially lead to job losses within the art industry.
AI’s rise also raises complex ethical and artistic questions. For example, who owns the rights to AI-generated art? How do we ensure that technology doesn’t stifle human creativity? While some see AI as a threat, others argue it could inspire new forms of artistic expression and create new job opportunities, such as designing AI systems or training them to replicate specific artistic styles.
However, the growth of AI art—evidenced by an AI-generated painting selling for $432,500 in 2021—does highlight that AI can make a significant impact. Yet, it’s crucial to remember that the essence of art is deeply human. While technology evolves, the legacy of the great masters and the unique journey of being an artist continue to hold immense value. Embracing AI doesn’t mean replacing human creativity but rather finding ways for artists to thrive and explore new artistic horizons.
Can you share examples of how AI-driven tools and algorithms are reshaping the landscape of digital art creation and color design, and what implications does this have for actual artistic practices and craftsmanship?
Absolutely. Generative AI is a fascinating field that leverages techniques like deep learning, neural networks, and Generative Adversarial Networks, or GANs. Tools such as TensorFlow and OpenAI are instrumental in creating these technologies. For instance, platforms like Jasper Art, DALLE-2, and Stable Diffusion enable artists to generate unique pieces of AI art or enhance existing works. These tools offer limitless creative possibilities and have given rise to vibrant online communities where artists share and discuss their creations.
One significant development in this area started with Google Brain in 2017, where Large Language Models, or LLMs, were initially used for translating text while preserving context. Since then, we’ve seen a surge of advanced models and tools like Mid Journey and DALL-E 2, which transform text descriptions into art. These technologies are reshaping the art world, as seen with Jason Allen’s use of Mid Journey to win a photography contest after 80 hours of work refining his art.
However, this rise of AI art does raise some important questions. For one, it challenges traditional notions of artistry. While artists spent years perfecting their craft, AI can generate artwork rapidly and with technical precision. This might create a sense of fear or inadequacy within the artist community, as they feel pressured to compete with technology that can produce flawless images.
Nevertheless, I believe AI tools should be seen as aids rather than replacements. They offer new ways to explore creativity and could lead to a renaissance in art by inspiring fresh ideas. It’s crucial, though, that we remember that art is not just about perfection but about expression and impact. We must ensure that while technology advances, the human touch and emotional depth of art remain central to the creative process.
In the future, we need to be cautious about allowing tech companies to dominate the art world. Although AI requires human involvement at every stage, there’s a concern that its advancement could eventually lead to a scenario where artists are sidelined. Thus, the role of AI should be to complement human creativity, not overshadow it.
In your opinion, what unique qualities and skills do human color artists possess that differentiate their work from AI-generated art, and how can artists leverage these strengths in an increasingly automated and competitive environment?
Human art encompasses traditional forms such as painting, drawing, sculpture, and contemporary works crafted by human hands. It serves as a profound reflection of human emotion, experiences, and societal contexts. Created over centuries, human art stands as a testament to creativity, bearing the unique imprint of the artist’s brushstrokes and personal touch. Despite its imperfections and occasional deviations from the artist’s vision, human-made art holds intrinsic value, making it a sought-after investment.
In contrast, AI-generated art often exhibits uniformity, precision, and thematic consistency, lacking the emotional depth and spontaneity inherent in human creation. Artists cherish the personal narrative woven into their works, offering stories and perspectives that resonate deeply, even when shared widely. This process of creation is both challenging and rewarding, contributing to a vibrant community that thrives on collaboration and mutual support.
While some view AI as a tool for inspiration and innovation, others emphasise the importance of human control in preserving traditional art forms and ensuring artistic integrity. Artists who integrate AI into their practice often blend technological capabilities with personal expression, affirming their role as creators who harness technology to explore new horizons while retaining the essence of human artistry.
How can the digital media industry and educational institutions better support the artists in navigating the challenges of technological disruption and maintaining creative autonomy and authenticity in their work?
Generative AI is indeed a fascinating development, stirring a lot of curiosity and interest across different sectors. Digital media professionals are at the forefront of this trend, leveraging AI to tackle industry challenges and improve user experiences and profitability. For instance, AI’s ability to automate tasks and create content quickly is transforming traditional business practices.
In the context of education in India, generative AI has the potential to address challenges, but it needs a supportive ecosystem that fosters innovation, evaluates its effectiveness, and manages its failures. The pace of technological advancement is rapid, and AI is increasingly chosen over traditional methods for its productivity benefits. However, there are drawbacks, such as the rise of ‘fake news’ online and the challenge of blending storytelling across different media formats like drawing, writing, and gaming.
AI’s role in art also brings up significant questions about creativity and originality. AI-generated art lacks true creativity as it is based on existing works used to train the models. This challenges artists to compete with AI’s speed and efficiency, complicating issues of ownership and copyright.
Enterprises need to address these ethical concerns by establishing clear policies on transparency and royalties. It’s crucial for industries to collaborate with educators and tech experts to build effective AI applications, but this requires substantial resources and support. Overall, while generative AI holds great promise, it also presents challenges that need careful consideration for its future success.
What ethical considerations should be taken into account when incorporating AI technologies into the creative process, particularly concerning issues of intellectual property, artistic expression, and cultural diversity?
Of course. The ownership of AI art is a complex and evolving issue. There are different perspectives on who should hold the rights to AI-generated art. Some experts argue that the creators of the AI models, like those behind OpenAI’s DALL-E 2, should own the rights, while others believe that the artists who use these models to generate the final artwork should be the rightful owners. There’s also the question of rights in cases where multiple artists or models contribute to the creation.
AI art challenges traditional notions of creativity and originality. While some critics argue that AI-generated works lack true creativity, others believe that AI can be just as inventive as humans. This debate raises broader ethical questions about the role of technology in art and the value of human creativity.
Moreover, AI technology, like “deepfakes,” is already causing legal and ethical concerns. For instance, OpenAI uses watermarking to manage fake images from DALL-E 2, but more controls will be needed as AI-generated content becomes more mainstream.
As AI continues to advance, we are just beginning to explore its implications for intellectual property and creative work. The future will likely bring new challenges and opportunities for how we understand and manage AI art.
Finally, how do you envision the future of color artistry in the age of AI, and what opportunities and potential pitfalls do you foresee for artists striving to excel in this rapidly evolving landscape?
The field of AI art is witnessing rapid growth, reshaping our perception of creativity and the production of art. AI art vs human art, an ongoing debate, raises intriguing questions about the future of artistic expression. While it is clear that AI has the potential to revolutionize the art world, the full extent of its impact remains to be seen. Regardless of whether AI Art is considered “true” art, the transformative influence of AI art on the art world is still unfolding, and only time will reveal its true extent. Without an ecosystem and copyright policies that monitors and participates in its evaluation, and assumes responsibility for failures, we can hardly imagine all of the setbacks and implications that they may engender. I have three perspectives on this angle:
What if Humans can’t compete with AI? If AI does better than Humans? If AI leads to extinction of some Traditional Art forms
AI really is shaking things up for human artists. While it can’t fully replace us, it’s definitely putting our livelihoods at risk. For artists who work on simpler projects like caricatures or stock imagery, the future looks tough. AI tools can produce these types of art quickly and cheaply, which means there will be more competition and lower prices. This could lead to fewer job opportunities and make it harder for emerging artists to stand out. Essentially, if anyone can create art with AI at little to no cost, why would someone commission a piece from a human artist? We’re seeing a shift where even a toddler with AI tools could make impressive art, which challenges the traditional art world and raises concerns about the value of human creativity.
What if Artists who believe in mediums of art material and actual artwork , refuse to collaborate with AI? If technology can obsolete human artistic expression alone and become an indispensable tool in the art space.
AI has the potential to democratize art by lowering costs and creating new markets, akin to street art. Algorithms, analysing vast image datasets, could elevate quality by broadening perspectives beyond human curators. Yet, traditional art’s human touch remains prized by collectors. Historical shifts like photography’s impact show human adaptability in embracing technology as a creative tool. AI, similarly, offers artists new avenues, complementing rather than replacing human creativity in nuanced, context-rich art forms. Embracing AI as a tool could spur innovation and broaden artistic horizons…. Or be at the risk of being left behind!.
Can AI and human artists collaborate?
Yes, a new generation of artists is embracing AI art, using its tools to create innovative works and explore new techniques. AI can assist in the creative process and foster collaboration between human and machine artists, pushing artistic boundaries. While AI art offers unique technical qualities and possibilities, human art often carries deeper cultural, historical, and emotional significance. Although AI art might challenge traditional art forms, it also presents new opportunities for artistic expression and career expansion.
For the Unversed…
Navita Sharma is a Fluid Artist from Gurgaon known for her unique approach to contemporary art. Self-taught in acrylic pouring, resin art, and alcohol inks, she uses unconventional tools like blow dryers and palette knives instead of traditional brushes. Her abstract and playful works, showcased under ‘Color Chemistry by Navita’, draw on vibrant colors and creativity, embracing the unpredictable nature of fluid art to push boundaries and craft innovative pieces.