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Artificial Intelligence should be nowhere near art

Gary Lloyd | Oct 28,26 | 01:38 EST

Technology

Growing up, I refused to let myself be called an artist in any capacity. It wasn’t because I was ashamed of the title itself, but rather because I always felt that I hadn’t achieved the level of blood, sweat and tears to be allowed to call myself a “true” artist. I’ve found this sort of humbleness and criticism of one’s own work is a common trend with most artists, regardless of their medium. It’s almost a rite of passage, if you will. With the recent rise of content generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI), however, this rite of passage has been disgraced with an influx of people proudly calling themselves “AI artists.”

The Disgrace of "AI Artists" The author recounts a lifelong reluctance to be called an artist, born from a belief that true artistry demands significant "blood, sweat, and tears" – a common sentiment among creators. This personal perspective frames their deep concern over the recent emergence of "AI artists," a development they see as profoundly devaluing and "disgracing" the traditional journey and dedication required to earn the title of a true artist. Ethical Concerns and Broader Implications of AI While acknowledging that using AI to generate content like art or music might seem innocuous, the author asserts that it inherently conflicts with humanity's fundamental nature. The discussion then broadens to the extensive ethical quandaries surrounding AI's application, ranging from fostering academic dishonesty in educational settings to its potential for creating misleading "fake news" videos. A particularly alarming point is the mention of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, which was controversially deemed legal under First Amendment rights in a recent court ruling. AI's Utility in STEM Fields Despite strong reservations about AI's role in creative fields, the author concedes its considerable potential and practical applications within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). They highlight AI's capacity to significantly enhance efficiency by streamlining complex calculations, accelerating data collection processes, and improving the speed and accuracy of data analysis. This technological advancement, it is argued, could enable scientists and researchers to more rapidly identify and focus on the crucial aspects of their work, thereby fostering quicker advancements and facilitating important new discussions in research. The Incompatibility of AI and Art The central thesis of the article is unequivocally stated: AI is fundamentally incompatible with the essence of art. The author passionately defines the arts as a realm driven by profound passion, a career path often pursued despite its frequent financial unrewarding nature. Artists, through their diverse mediums of creation (singing, dancing, drawing, acting, writing, sculpting, painting), are described as imbuing their work with a piece of their very soul, thereby sustaining the vitality of society and community. To claim the title of "artist" through AI-generated "creations" is therefore condemned as "true sacrilege." Effort, Not AI, Defines an Artist Addressing the typical defenses put forth by "AI artists," such as physical limitations or a perceived lack of natural talent, the author dismisses these justifications entirely. They argue that true artistic ability is rarely innate but is instead cultivated through sustained "effort, patience, and spirit." The core message is that the path to becoming an artist, regardless of the medium or initial skill level, always involves a human journey of development and dedication. Consequently, the critical distinction is the "human" element in creation, leading to the firm conclusion that AI-generated images, lacking this human touch, can never genuinely qualify as art. The Theft and Erasure of Human Art The article culminates in a forceful indictment of AI-generated images, presenting them not merely as a technological development but as a profound "theft" from human artists. This "theft" is described as robbing artists of their creative output and their "heart," ultimately leading to the "erasure of humanity's core." The author delivers a stark call to action, urging readers to "stop the use of AI," "stop the race to replace art," and actively resist what they perceive as the ongoing "erasure of humanity" through the proliferation of AI in creative domains.

The Disgrace of "AI Artists"

The author recounts a lifelong reluctance to be called an artist, born from a belief that true artistry demands significant "blood, sweat, and tears" – a common sentiment among creators. This personal perspective frames their deep concern over the recent emergence of "AI artists," a development they see as profoundly devaluing and "disgracing" the traditional journey and dedication required to earn the title of a true artist.

Ethical Concerns and Broader Implications of AI

While acknowledging that using AI to generate content like art or music might seem innocuous, the author asserts that it inherently conflicts with humanity's fundamental nature. The discussion then broadens to the extensive ethical quandaries surrounding AI's application, ranging from fostering academic dishonesty in educational settings to its potential for creating misleading "fake news" videos. A particularly alarming point is the mention of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, which was controversially deemed legal under First Amendment rights in a recent court ruling.

AI's Utility in STEM Fields

Despite strong reservations about AI's role in creative fields, the author concedes its considerable potential and practical applications within Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). They highlight AI's capacity to significantly enhance efficiency by streamlining complex calculations, accelerating data collection processes, and improving the speed and accuracy of data analysis. This technological advancement, it is argued, could enable scientists and researchers to more rapidly identify and focus on the crucial aspects of their work, thereby fostering quicker advancements and facilitating important new discussions in research.

The Incompatibility of AI and Art

The central thesis of the article is unequivocally stated: AI is fundamentally incompatible with the essence of art. The author passionately defines the arts as a realm driven by profound passion, a career path often pursued despite its frequent financial unrewarding nature. Artists, through their diverse mediums of creation (singing, dancing, drawing, acting, writing, sculpting, painting), are described as imbuing their work with a piece of their very soul, thereby sustaining the vitality of society and community. To claim the title of "artist" through AI-generated "creations" is therefore condemned as "true sacrilege."

Effort, Not AI, Defines an Artist

Addressing the typical defenses put forth by "AI artists," such as physical limitations or a perceived lack of natural talent, the author dismisses these justifications entirely. They argue that true artistic ability is rarely innate but is instead cultivated through sustained "effort, patience, and spirit." The core message is that the path to becoming an artist, regardless of the medium or initial skill level, always involves a human journey of development and dedication. Consequently, the critical distinction is the "human" element in creation, leading to the firm conclusion that AI-generated images, lacking this human touch, can never genuinely qualify as art.

The Theft and Erasure of Human Art

The article culminates in a forceful indictment of AI-generated images, presenting them not merely as a technological development but as a profound "theft" from human artists. This "theft" is described as robbing artists of their creative output and their "heart," ultimately leading to the "erasure of humanity's core." The author delivers a stark call to action, urging readers to "stop the use of AI," "stop the race to replace art," and actively resist what they perceive as the ongoing "erasure of humanity" through the proliferation of AI in creative domains.