The Impact of Generative AI Art on Society and Culture: Will It Replace Human Artists?

Daneel Olivaw
4 min readDec 24, 2022

--

Introduction: generative AI art and its potential impact on society and culture.

Generative AI art is a relatively new field that is rapidly gaining attention and interest. At its most basic, generative AI art is the art that is created using algorithms or machine learning techniques. This can take many different forms, from paintings and drawings to music and even poetry. Some of the most famous examples of generative AI art include “The Next Rembrandt,” a painting created using machine learning algorithms that was unveiled in 2016, and “A.I. Duet,” a program developed by Google that allows users to play a duet with a computer.

https://thenextrembrandt.pr.co/

The history of generative AI art can be traced back to the early days of artificial intelligence research. One of the earliest examples of generative AI art is “AARON,” a program developed in the 1970s by artist Harold Cohen. AARON was designed to generate original works of art in the form of drawings and paintings, and Cohen used it to create thousands of works over the course of his career. In the decades since, the field of generative AI art has continued to evolve and expand, with new algorithms and techniques being developed that allow for increasingly complex and sophisticated works of art to be created using AI.

First Athletes, Athlete Series, 1986 Harold Cohen

As the capabilities of generative AI art continue to improve, the question of how it will impact the art world and society as a whole becomes increasingly pressing. One important aspect to consider is the myth of individual style and how it relates to the emergence of generative AI art. This concept refers to the belief that each artist has a unique and identifiable style that sets their work apart from that of other artists. It is often thought that this individual style is an inherent part of an artist’s identity and is the result of their personal experiences, influences, and creative vision. However, the emergence of generative AI art has led some to question the validity of this idea.

Some argue that the ability of AI algorithms to generate original works of art threatens to make human artists obsolete and that the concept of individual style is therefore no longer relevant. Others believe that generative AI art will simply complement and enhance traditional forms of art, rather than replace human artists altogether. Regardless of which perspective is ultimately correct, it is clear that the emergence of generative AI art raises important questions about the role of human artists in the art world and the definition of art itself.

image generated by stable diffusion

As generative AI art continues to evolve and become more prevalent, it is important to consider the ethical implications of its use. Some have raised concerns about the potential for AI algorithms to do harm or be used for nefarious purposes. For example, there is concern that AI algorithms could be used to generate fake news or propaganda, or to create revenge porn or other types of non-consensual content. There is also the risk that AI algorithms could be used to distort the truth or discredit people, either intentionally or accidentally.

One of the most famous examples of the potential dangers of generative AI art is the creation of deepfake videos. Deepfake videos are highly realistic forgeries that are created using artificial intelligence algorithms and can be used to manipulate public opinion or spread misinformation. In one famous example, an AI algorithm was used to create a deepfake video of former President Barack Obama, in which he appeared to be saying things that he had never actually said. This type of technology has the potential to be highly disruptive and could be used to manipulate public opinion or create propaganda.

Obama Deep Fake video made by Jordan Peele

These concerns highlight the need for careful consideration of the ethical implications of generative AI art.

Ultimately, the impact of generative AI art on society and culture will depend on how it is used and embraced by the wider community.

As generative AI art continues to evolve and become more prevalent, it is important to consider the ethical implications of its use. In the next blog post, we will delve deeper into the myth of individual style and how it relates to the emergence of generative AI art. Is the concept of individual style still relevant in the age of generative AI art? How will the rise of AI impact the role of human artists in the art world? What are the risks and benefits of using AI to create art? Will generative AI art eventually replace human artists, or will it simply complement traditional forms of art? How will the use of AI in the art world affect the value and appreciation of art? What are the ethical considerations that need to be taken into account when using AI to create art? These are just a few of the questions that we will explore in the next installment of this series.

--

--