Blog No.3 ART FOR AI’s SAKE?

In these times of AI, there has been a threat to artists that their work is becoming redundant. As an artist, I too am concerned that no-one would be interested in my work, because anyone can now produce art at the simple touch of a button.

Why would anyone want to buy from an artist now, whether it be in the traditional media of drawing, painting, printing or even digital, that require certain skills, when anyone can produce it themselves with just a few words and a software package?

The same threat is starting for fiction and non-fiction writers, voiceover actors, illustrators and many others in the creative field. I began to despair. What was the point of me continuing my craft?

But as I thought about it, I asked myself why I did my art in the first place? Was the prime objective to make big money? To be liked and respected? To be the most sort after? To be the most popular? There is no doubt it would be great to achieve all of these, but this wasn’t the fundamental reason why I created art.

I did my art because there was an inexplicable deep and driving force to do it that I could not ignore. An automatic drive, just like the automatic drive to breathe, to blink. This drive was the same as any of the other automated functions that the body does to be alive, without thinking. It was the reason for my existence, for my being.

As I thought about this I began to see a difference between the technically perfect art produced by AI, and art produced by human beings. There seemed to be a difference that I could not put into words, but was part of the artist’s consciousness, that could be subtly detected in their work.

I found that, when listening to audio narratives, after a few minutes I would feel a tiredness even though the narrator sounded perfect, and instantly knew that it had been AI produced. It was because there was something missing that I could not put a finger on, and again, I believe it was the lack of an individual’s consciousness, soul, call it what you will.

I wondered if, being an artist and having Spiritual interests, was the reason I was picking up on the difference? But I’m noticing that the initial amazement and wonder at AI, with regards to art, is starting to wane slightly as it becomes the norm and the public, either consciously or unconsciously, are starting to want the human element to come back into works of art.

Don’t get me wrong, there are justifications for the use of AI in many fields and professions that are beneficial to the world. For example, medicine, health, computing to name just but a few.

Yes, I can also see how somebody could get pleasure and enjoyment from using AI to produce art, and perhaps that may become their journey. I would in no way deny or condemn that. After all, I don’t have all the answers and there is no definite right or wrong. I’m just expressing my thoughts and feelings, which may very well change as I continue on my own journey.

With regards to my art; I began by thinking, what was the point of presenting it to anyone now, in this age of AI? But the driving force to create continues stronger than ever, and the Universe works in strange ways, and hopefully it may appeal to somebody and give help to them on their own personal journey.