AI in the Artistic Realms
*This is the first part of my multi-part series on AI in the artistic realms. Keep following to read the upcoming pieces on specific fields like music, poetry, visual arts, and video gaming.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword in the tech industry. Today, AI is making its way into various fields, including art. AI is transforming the way artists create, present, and distribute their work. From music to visual arts, AI is being used in innovative ways to create new experiences for both artists and audiences.
Challenging Traditional Notions of Art
One of the most significant ways AI is changing art is through the creation of new forms of art. AI algorithms can generate unique and complex artwork that would be impossible to create manually. For example, AI can create abstract art, 3D sculptures, and even realistic portraits of people who have never existed.
One of the most famous examples of AI-generated art is the portrait entitled “Portrait of Edmond de Belamy.” The portrait was created by Paris-based art collective Obvious using a type of AI called Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). GAN algorithms can be trained on datasets of images and can then generate new images that mimic the style of the original images. In the case of the Belamy portrait, the algorithm was trained on a dataset of 15,000 portraits from the 14th to the 20th centuries. The resulting portrait was sold at a Christie’s auction in 2018 for $432,500.
Some other famous AI art projects include:
- “The Next Rembrandt” — This project was a collaboration between advertising agency J. Walter Thompson Amsterdam, ING Bank, and technical universities in the Netherlands. The project used AI algorithms to analyze Rembrandt’s paintings and create a new painting in his style. The resulting painting was unveiled in 2016 and was exhibited at the Dutch National Museum.
- “AICAN” — This project was developed by Rutgers University computer science professor Ahmed Elgammal. AICAN is an AI system that can generate original artwork that mimics the styles of famous artists, such as Picasso and van Gogh. The project was exhibited at the Art and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at Rutgers University.
These AI-generated artworks challenge traditional notions of authorship and originality and open up new avenues for artistic expression. As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of AI in the artistic fields, leading to new forms of art that we can’t even imagine yet.
Automating the Creative Process
When it comes to the entertainment fields, AI can automate various aspects of the creative process, allowing artists to work more efficiently and productively. In the fields of film, music, and video games, AI is being used to automate various tasks, such as generating special effects, creating music, and developing game content.
For example, in the film and video industry, AI is being used to create special effects and enhance post-production. It can generate realistic CGI characters and environments. AI can also be used to create realistic animations of characters performing complex tasks, such as dancing or playing sports. Virtual actors, synthetic landscapes, crowds, or large herds of animals are now created using AI.
AI is also being used to create music and revolutionize the way music is composed and produced. AI tools like Amper Music and AIVA are using machine learning algorithms to create original music that mimics the styles of famous composers or explores new soundscapes. For example a team of scientists used AI to compose Beethoven’s 10th symphony from a handful of original musical phrases.
In the gaming industry, AI is being used to automate various tasks, such as generating game content, creating smarter non-player characters (NPCs), and enhancing the player experience. For example, AI can be used to generate new levels and environments in a video game, making the game more immersive and engaging for players.
These are just a few of the specific AI applications in the entertainment realm. I’ll go more in-depth with each of these industries in the subsequent articles of this series.
Changing What it Means To Be an Artist
The integration of AI into the artistic fields is changing what it means to be an artist. AI-generated art challenges traditional notions of authorship and originality and raises important questions about the role of human creativity in art. With AI generating complex and unique artwork that would be impossible to create manually, the relationship between artist and artwork is evolving.
AI tools are also allowing for a new level of collaboration between artists and technology. Artists can use AI to automate various aspects of the creative process, allowing them to focus on more complex and creative aspects of their work. In this way, artists are becoming more like curators, using AI to explore new creative directions and generate new forms of art.
However, the integration of AI into the artistic fields also raises concerns about the relationship between technology and creativity. Some argue that AI-generated art lacks the emotional depth and subjective experience that human artists bring to their work. Others worry that AI-generated art may reinforce existing biases and perpetuate social inequalities.
My personal position is that art, creativity, and technology are interconnected and have a significant impact on each other, and that is historically true, not a recent phenomenon.
Technology has played a significant role in enhancing human creativity throughout history. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century revolutionized the way information was shared and sparked new forms of artistic expression. The introduction of photography in the 19th century opened up new avenues for visual creativity and storytelling.
Technology has provided artists with new tools and mediums to express their creativity, enabling them to create and manipulate images and videos in ways that were once impossible. Online platforms and social media have enabled art to reach new audiences, democratizing art and making it more accessible.
Art has also inspired technological innovation, with creative thinking and problem-solving skills required for artistic expression instrumental in the development of new technologies. The relationship between art, creativity, and technology is symbiotic, with each one inspiring innovation and growth in the creative industries.
AI is already transforming the artistic fields in significant ways, and the possibilities are endless. As AI technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more innovative uses of AI in art, leading to new forms of artistic expression that we can’t even imagine yet. The role of the artist in this new era of art and technology will continue to evolve and change, but one thing is clear: AI is changing the way we create and experience art.
New and Uncharted Territory
AI-generated art is still a relatively new and uncharted territory. Who knows what kind of bizarre and unexpected artwork we’ll see in the future. Will we see a painting of a cat riding a unicorn created by AI? I think we already have…
In the meantime, let’s enjoy the weird and wonderful world of AI art and the unexpected ways it challenges traditional notions of creativity and authorship. And who knows, maybe someday we’ll see AI-generated art in museums next to works created by human hands. One thing’s for sure, it’s an exciting time to be an artist, human or otherwise!
In the words of Mark Mine, Director of Visual Effects at Weta Digital: “Artificial Intelligence is the next electricity, and Visual Effects is the next fire.”
