THE PROBLEM WITH AI-GENERATED ART IN THE CREATIVE
INDUSTRIES
In 2024, there will be many things that you can do with AI. One example of this is AI-generated
art. AI-generated art is artwork created with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). This process
typically involves algorithms that can learn from data inputs and generate new, original art pieces. AI art
can take various forms, including digital images, paintings, sculptures, music, and poetry. AI-generated
art has evolved into a dynamic force in the creative landscape. It challenges the traditional idea of art as a
solely human endeavor.
Firstly, it’s important to note that the people who are opposed to AI-produced art aren’t angry
about the existence of all types of AI. Art generation tools in particular are the subject of people’s fury,
and that’s because they’re fundamentally different from a lot of other AIs. Something like, for example, a
call center AI exists to support the work of human employees. It flags up keywords to show call center
agents helpful information during their calls, and can alert a manager if an ongoing call needs
intervention. That’s highly useful to these employees, and instead of threatening their job security, it
makes their work lives more comfortable. AI art generators don’t have the same impact on human artists.
Instead of supporting them in their creation process, AI art tools use pattern recognition tools to ‘remix’
existing work into something new. They don’t help artists figure out how best to shade that tree, for
example; they can only create a new facsimile of a tree out of data from other artists’ work featuring
trees.
One of the biggest problems digital artists cite with AI art generators is the issue of how they got
the data they use to create new works. Or rather, the pieces they splice together, since the works in
question aren’t actually created from scratch. AI algorithms can replicate and mimic various artistic styles
with ease, leading to a saturation of similar-looking artworks on the internet. This flood of AI-generated
art can overshadow the uniqueness and originality of human-created pieces, making it difficult for artists
to stand out and be recognized for their individual talents. Moreover, the accessibility and affordability of
AI technology further heightens the challenges faced by artists. With AI software readily available to
anyone with a computer, the barrier to entry into the art world is significantly lowered. As a result, the
market becomes flooded with an abundance of AI-generated art, making it harder for artists to earn a
living solely from their artistic endeavors.
Another common theme among artists’ complaints about AI art generators is that they’re unhappy
about their work being used without their permission. It also raises concerns about the humanitarian level
of AI ethics. AI algorithms are trained on vast amounts of data, often sourced from the internet, which
may include copyrighted material without proper credit. This raises questions about intellectual property
rights and the ethics of using copyrighted material to create AI-generated art. Additionally, AI algorithms
lack the empathy, emotions, and subjective experiences that human artists bring to their work. This
diminishes the potential for art to reflect and express the complexities of the human condition, thereby
reducing its impact on society.
Strategies for protecting artwork include using watermarks and digital signatures, opting out of
AI training on AI platforms, using image cloaking tools, and taking legal action against infringements.
These measures aim to assert ownership, deter unauthorized use, and secure rights for artists. Some AI
platforms are now recognizing visual artists' rights and offering opt-out mechanisms. These options allow
you to register your artwork and explicitly request it not be included in the datasets used to train their AI
models. However, a caveat exists. Opt-out mechanisms are still evolving, and their effectiveness can vary
depending on the platform.
But, if you discover someone has used your artwork without permission, particularly if it's been
used to train an AI model that then replicates your style, legal action might be necessary to protect your
rights. Copyright infringement occurs when someone uses a substantial portion of your original work
without your permission. This can include copying your artwork, using it to create derivative works, or
publicly displaying it without your authorization. In the context of AI, using your artwork to train a model
that then replicates your style could be considered copyright infringement.
In conclusion, while AI art presents exciting possibilities and innovations, it also poses challenges
for traditional artists. The ease of AI-generated art creation, its impact on artistic recognition, and the
oversaturation of the market all contribute to the negative consequences for human artists. Furthermore,
the ethical implications of AI art extend to the deterioration of the humanitarian level of AI ethics, as it
diminishes the unique perspective and emotional depth that human artists bring to their work. Striking a
balance between the advancements of AI and preserving the value of human artistry is crucial to ensuring
a thriving and diverse artistic landscape.
REFERENCES
https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/ai-generated-art
https://www.computer.org/publications/tech-news/trends/artists-mad-at-ai
https://medium.com/@gfaj/negative-impacts-of-ai-art-on-artists-in-ai-ethics-305df8619b17
https://www.gelato.com/in/blog/how-to-protect-your-art-from-ai
