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Seven Ways to Ask, “Is AI Art Really Art?”
The question of whether AI-generated art can truly be considered “art” is not new. Algorithmic art, at least in its digital form, has been around for decades. What’s new is that generative AI (most famously, DALL-E) is capable of producing highly complex and nuanced artworks that challenge traditional notions of creativity and the role of the artist. This technological leap has fueled both enthusiasm and skepticism, often accompanied by hype and sensationalism that sometimes overshadows a deeper understanding of the technology’s artistic and cultural implications.
“Is it truly art?” is a question that’s asked every time a new art form arises, the acceptance of which depends greatly on perspective. Let’s explore them all.
Philosophical perspective
From a philosophical perspective, art is considered a manifestation of human experience, emotion, and creativity, derived from the artist’s intentionality and consciousness. This raises the philosophical question: can art created without consciousness still be considered true art?
Indeed, this question has been asked before, particularly in discussions about animal-made art and, now, AI-generated art. The creations of animals, such as paintings by elephants or chimpanzees, challenge traditional definitions of art because they lack intentional thought about aesthetics or the symbolic meaning behind their actions. While these animals can produce works that are visually interesting, and even emotionally engaging to human observers, the debate hinges on whether these creations can be considered art without the animal’s conscious intent to express or communicate specific concepts or emotions.
The emergence of AI as a creator introduces a similar debate about consciousness and artistic creation. AI systems like DALL-E or Midjourney generate artworks by processing vast datasets and applying complex algorithms, without any consciousness or emotional depth. The…
