Despite what many think, AI (artificial intelligence) is not a new concept, but in recent months it is becoming one of the most hotly debated topics in art.
September 27, 2023
The Impact of AI on Digital Art
Some artists and creators use AI tools to do stunning work, while others refuse to consider anything made with AI as art or anything close to it. But as technology advances and becomes more powerful, everyone must consider artificial intelligence's potential impact and its role in the art world.
In this post, we will cover the potential consequences of AI and how this type of technology can help creators with their work. We'll also highlight some of the best AI tools artists can use to speed up their workflow.
The Negative Side of AI
Many people worry about the effects AI can have on the creative community. While some of these concerns are a product of wild speculation, there is validity to some of the possible downsides that arise as the technology becomes more powerful.
Here are some potential issues people worry about when considering AI and art.
1. Job displacement
As AI grows more capable, many worry that it will replace humans for certain jobs. Writers, coders, engineers, and artists see the advancement of this technology as a threat to their careers and worry that robots will soon make their work obsolete.
Additionally, as AI technology improves at producing original art, this could reduce the demand for human-created content, leading to fewer opportunities for artists to earn a living.
Again, it is important to remember that this is speculation. AI must make significant strides to be powerful enough to replace artists and other creators entirely.
2. Loss of originality
One of the defining factors of an artist's work is its authenticity and originality. Human artists look to express emotion and creativity through their work, and producing unique pieces is often at the heart of the creative process.
AI paintings and other artwork lack this human element. For artists who do use AI tools, this missing emotional aspect can lead viewers to see the work as lacking credibility.
AI will help inform a creative insights.
3. Ethical concerns
One of the main concerns artists have over AI technology is the issue of plagiarism and copyright infringement. Artificial intelligence systems learn from existing artworks, music, or literature, resulting in generated work that resembles existing pieces.
Generated art resembling real artists' work can lead to intellectual property disputes and challenges in attributing artistic ownership. Ethics is one of the major problems with this type of art and will cause more legal issues as more artists turn to AI technology.
But it's not all bad!
While it may seem like AI is an evil force of robots that will take over art and all of humanity (Terminator, anyone?), the fact is that there is a long list of ways that AI can help artists and enhance creativity.
Again, everyone will have their opinions on how AI can positively or negatively impact artists and their work. Still, these are some of the most talked about positive aspects of AI for artists.
1. Enhancing creativity
When it comes to augmenting creativity, AI tools are some of the best for artists. AI tools can help generate ideas, build drafts of projects, or explore different styles artists can experiment with. Plus, the incredible speed of AI tools can provide artists with numerous sources of inspiration that otherwise might take hours of research.
In other words, AI can unlock creative elements an artist may have otherwise known of. This artistic assistance can be potentially transformative for artists struggling with motivation or feeling creatively blocked.
2. Increased efficiency
Building off the enhanced creativity is the increased efficiency that AI can provide to artists. AI tools can drastically cut down the time of routine tasks that might otherwise be time-consuming and take artists hours to complete.
Since AI is an excellent method for saving time and shortening repetitive tasks, artists can focus more on the artistic aspects of their work, which helps increase productivity and enables them to create more in less time.
AI is already revolutionizing our workflow.
3. Access to new techniques
AI can enable artists to experiment with new techniques and mediums that may not have been accessible before. For instance, AI-powered tools can simulate various art styles or techniques that certain artists may not have been familiar with.
This new access to styles is a way of expanding an artist's creative arsenal. Now, artists can go outside their typical skillset and more easily experiment with other creative mediums.
4. Broadening artistic accessibility
One of the main benefits of AI-powered art tools is that it gives more artists the ability to create. What does this mean exactly? AI can democratize access to art by making it more inclusive and accessible to diverse audiences.
Expanding techniques to more audiences and giving more artists the ability to create is one of the most pivotal ways AI can do incredible things for the creative community. So, for those who think AI will take away the human element, remember that it will also give back to those who previously could not create without it.
Experimenting with AI-powered tools
What kind of monsters would we be to talk about all the crazy possibilities of AI without providing some fun tools to experiment with? But don't stress because we compiled a list of some of the coolest AI-powered tools for creatives that we've seen thus far:
- Spline: Like Figma but for 3D design. Quickly create and edit 3D objects in a browser with ease.
- Midjourney v5: A tool taking photorealism to the next level.
- Blockade Labs: Generate virtual worlds with text prompts.
- Krisp AI: AI-powered noise cancellation app that instantly mutes background noise
- Stability AI: A powerful plugin that helps create, edit, and iterate AI-generated images.
- Slides AI: Your friendly AI tool that will transform your presentations.
- Dalle2/2.5: One of the most powerful AI tools that turns text into beautiful images.
This is just a small list of AI tools that artists can experiment and create with. Developers are releasing powerful products on a daily basis, and there will likely be huge strides in the artistic capacity of AI-powered systems.
A final perspective on AI and art
It's important to note that while AI can have negative impacts on artists, it also has the potential to enhance creativity, facilitate artistic processes, and open up new possibilities. The relationship between AI and art is complex and multifaceted, and it's crucial to consider the ethical implications and ensure that the integration of AI in the artistic domain is done thoughtfully and responsibly.
With that in mind, regardless of your opinion on the subject, there is no doubt that these are fascinating times, and the future is guaranteed to show us more incredible advancements.
