Should artists embrace AI in creating and marketing art?

Since artificial intelligence has become more widespread among internet users, artists feel as if their jobs will become obsolete in the future. AI algorithms can create anything if instructed clearly, and companies are already using this tool for various tasks, including creating social media posts and visuals. 

As a result, there’s an ongoing battle between artists of all sorts, from painters to musicians, against the limitless AI features. Numerous Hollywood writers, actors, and developers went on a strike against AI a few months ago, with the result of an agreement approved by the Writers Guild of America (WGA). This will create a specific regulation on how artificial intelligence will be used in film and television. 

However, the strike process proved successful, gaining mass support from Hollywood stars. The artist community were eager to settle the problem to avoid AI taking over their jobs. Artists and niche art industries cannot stop AI, especially since users from other industries can now create their desired animations, visuals, and texts in the blink of an eye without their support. So, what does this mean? Should artists work with AI? 

How can we determine how much AI is too much? 

Eliminating AI from art is not possible for the time being. Technology will shape the future of arts and industries, but society must design a clear limit between its use and human creation. Of course, things might change in the next hundreds of years, but for now, artists are having a difficult time proving their worth on the internet. 

However, some artists have started using AI in their art, so they must flag their posts as AI-based in order not to confuse buyers or internet users. If you search for digital art for sale online, you may notice the prices are pretty high because they include the skills and time involved in creating it. 

On the other hand, having AI as a tool can support creators’ imagination in reaching unimaginable places. Nothing can replace human imagination, and AI can help nurture it in many ways. 

Companies are already making mistakes 

Unfortunately, the thrill of AI has caused companies to dwell on it too early without considering human resources. Many have already made considerable layoffs in the past year, while other businesses want to employ people who will use artificial intelligence in the creative process. 

Adobe, for example, has already started developing products that include generative AI features. In an interview, one of the executives stated that artists should get used to the new situation because they won’t be as successful without it in the modern world. 

Therefore, businesses leverage AI for numerous benefits, including improved costs and development times. But what will this speed ultimately bring us? 

Will AI simply create too much content? 

Content is everything for the 21st century and beyond. Companies need content to humanize their businesses, and people create and need it as a form of entertainment and education. Some consider we shouldn’t rely on AI too much, especially for the creative process of developing content and ideas, because the algorithm will make it create the same thing over and over again. 

However, this will become a true challenge for real artists because they’ll have to compete with a tool that can do basically anything at low costs. At the same time, getting online exposure among all the AI tools can become difficult. 

Still, some consider that the demand for artists who create by hand will increase, allowing them to establish themselves as real creators. 

What do people prefer? 

The problem of using AI is much more complex than it seems, especially with the two different sides of users. While some despise AI in the creative process, others rely on it and use it to save time on boring tasks.

Still, users seem to prefer human-generated content to AI, especially from the perspective of those whose jobs seem to become obsolete. Many fear AI will take over their jobs in the near future, including telemarketing, proofreading, and market research analysis. Of course, there are jobs in which AI could never replace humans, such as social workers, doctors, and educators. 

Performing arts will also be difficult for AI since art is a complex field in which only humans can beautifully represent and showcase the human experience. 

The ethical problem with AI 

The biggest issue with artificial intelligence concerns ethical and moral features that include transparency, bias, and the impact on the digital landscape. For example, how transparent are the AI models and algorithms’ work based on the data they’re processing? Companies that use the tool, such as Google AIO, have yet to address this. 

On the other hand, the bias problem is difficult to manage. That’s because the information AI models used are also prone to bias, so the data established from algorithms receives the same model. Ideally, new AI models would be able to navigate these biases and offer a broader representation of diversity in approaching a certain subject, but that can be challenging. 

AI requires a specific regulatory framework so companies can use it adequately without affecting creators or users. The European Parliament has already started establishing the AI Act, which involves details about risk levels and transparency, as well as an understanding of its need for innovation. On the other hand, the US relies on current legislation for AI regulation but will soon develop a specific guideline for businesses and creators to avoid manipulation, social scoring, or AI-based illegal content. 

What do you think about AI in art? 

Art is one of the most beautiful things humans are capable of, but since we’re starting a new age of modernism, manual processes and crafts are being replaced by artificial intelligence. The battle between artists and AI continues as more companies start using this technology and lay off employees due to its cost and time effectiveness. However, AI has many problems with bias and transparency, and governments must work on creating strict regulations to allow artists to continue their operations and practices while using AI as support.