Unethical or inevitable? Artists question where to draw the line on AI-generated art

The intersection of art and artificial intelligence has sparked a heated debate in the art community, with Halifax photographer Lauren Thomander at the center of the conversation. Thomander recently introduced a series of prints inspired by the illustrated covers of The New Yorker, created using ChatGPT, an AI tool. While some praised her work and eagerly bought prints from her Etsy store, others, particularly illustrators, criticized the use of AI in art creation.

Thomander sees AI as a tool to enhance her work, similar to photo editing software. She believes that the essence of the art lies in the original photograph taken by her, even if AI is used to transform it into an illustration. However, illustrator and printmaker Alex MacAskill strongly disagrees, stating that using AI to generate art is unethical. He argues that the process removes the human touch and collaboration that is essential in the artistic process.

The debate over the use of AI in art creation raises ethical concerns, especially regarding the consent of artists whose work is used to train AI models. Large-language models like ChatGPT rely on vast datasets that include the creative output of numerous artists and writers, sometimes without their permission. This raises questions about the ownership and authenticity of AI-generated art.

Historically, new technologies in the art world have been met with skepticism. Photography was once viewed as a threat to painting, and artists like Mary Pratt faced criticism for using photographs as references for their paintings. Pratt’s work, characterized by its attention to detail and imperfections, highlights the human element in art that AI-generated pieces may lack.

While AI has the potential to revolutionize art creation, it also raises concerns about the value of art and the importance of human creativity. Ray Cronin, curator for the Beaverbrook Gallery, emphasizes that imperfection and human touch are what make art compelling. He believes that AI should be viewed as a tool and that the true value of art lies in the unique perspectives and experiences of individual artists.

As the debate over the role of AI in art continues, both artists and technologists are grappling with the implications of this emerging technology. While some see AI as a valuable tool for innovation, others caution against sacrificing the human element in art creation. The future of art in the age of artificial intelligence remains uncertain, but one thing is clear – the conversation surrounding the purpose and ethics of art creation is far from over.