AI Art: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in 2024
Brands Get Pilloried for Using AI Art
Brands such as Lego, Skechers, Netflix, Anthropologie, and Transport for Ireland have faced fierce backlashes online for using AI-generated art. While AI art can be used for practical reasons, some brands may be using it as a shortcut, which can lead to a loss of brand equity.
Artist Complains People are Stealing His AI Art
Jason Allen, a digital artist, won a fine art competition at the Colorado State Fair in 2022, but the US Copyright Office rejected his application for the image, citing lack of "human authorship." Allen claims that the piece required 110 hours of human work and that unauthorized use of his artwork has resulted in him losing "several million dollars" due to people "stealing" his work.
The AI Artist Botto Rakes in $351,600 at Sotheby’s
Botto, a fully autonomous AI artist, has generated images based on its own ideas without human prompting. In October, it sold over $351,600 worth of AI art at Sotheby’s, making it one of the most profitable AI artists of the year.
Tesla Rips Off Blade Runner
In a surprising move, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, launched an AI art development studio, xai, after previously criticizing the use of AI art. When Alcon refused to let him use imagery from Blade Runner 2049 for the Tesla Robotaxi reveal, Musk had Grok mock up some blatant copycat AI art instead, leading to a lawsuit for copyright infringement.
Gamers Don’t Like AI Art Either
Gamers have also criticized AI-generated content in games, including an alleged AI-generated zombie Santa in Call of Duty Black Ops 6 and an AI game development studio launched by Netflix.
The Good Side of AI Art
While AI art can be controversial, it’s not all bad. Some artists use AI as a tool, creating unique and interesting works. For example, Ouchhh Studio used a cognitive headset to capture the brain waves of seven key cultural figures and fed them through an AI algorithm to create a living canvas for the V&A’s Exhibition Road Courtyard.
Conclusion
AI art has had a whirlwind year, with both positive and negative developments. While some artists and brands have used AI-generated art to create new and interesting works, others have been criticized for using it as a shortcut or plagiarizing human art. As the field continues to evolve, it’s essential to consider the ethical implications of AI art and how it can be used responsibly.
FAQs
Q: What is AI art?
A: AI art is a broad term that can refer to any art made using machine learning algorithms, from collaborative tools to full AI-generated works.
Q: Is AI art the future of art?
A: It’s too early to say. While AI can be a powerful tool for artists, it’s up to human artists to decide how they want to use it.
Q: Is AI art original?
A: The answer depends on how one defines originality. Some AI art can be entirely generated by machines, while other works may be collaborations between humans and AI.
Q: Is AI art a threat to human artists?
A: Not necessarily. AI art can be seen as a new medium for human artists to explore, rather than a replacement for human creativity.
