The consequences of AI art for real artists

The Rise of AI Art

The emergence of AI-driven art has become a hot topic in contemporary discourse. While tools like ChatGPT have dominated the conversation around AI's impact on written communication, image generation tools such as Stable Diffusion and MidJourney have sparked significant debate among artists and creatives. Opinions on these technologies are varied, but many in the artistic community express skepticism and concern, viewing these tools as intellectually and spiritually vapid at best, and as existential threats based on theft and abuse at worst.

Threat to Artists' Livelihoods

Before venturing into content creation on platforms like YouTube, I worked as a mid-to-low-tier independent comic artist and illustrator. For individuals in similar positions, AI art tools present a direct threat to their livelihoods. The market that supports mid-level concept and texture artists, storyboarders, and those creating custom artwork for commissions, such as Twitch emotes and DND character portraits, is at risk of being supplanted by AI-generated art. Even the resilient market for adult content art is feeling the squeeze from AI tools capable of producing endless quantities of instant gratification artwork.

These AI tools are designed to eliminate labor costs, a human cannot compete with free. This economic reality will likely drive many working artists out of business, underscoring the need to critically evaluate the implications of AI art.

Is AI Art Really Art?

A central debate surrounding AI-generated art is whether it can be considered true art. While some may argue that AI art is not genuine, technological advancements suggest that this distinction will become increasingly difficult to make. AI art walks, talks, and looks like art. Therefore, the more pertinent question is what kind of art AI generates, the conditions of its production, and its broader implications.

The Misnomer of "AI" Art

Referring to these creations as "AI art" is a result of effective marketing and branding by those profiting from these technologies. Despite what the term implies, no true artificial intelligence is involved in creating AI art. These tools are powered by machine learning algorithms, not by autonomous, intelligent entities. These algorithms function similarly to those recommending YouTube videos or deciding which ads to display on websites. The distinction is crucial as it reveals that AI art tools are not driven by creativity or consciousness but by probabilistic models designed to predict desired outputs based on given inputs.

The Flawed Argument of AI Creativity

A common argument in defense of AI art tools is that they function similarly to human creativity, mixing and matching pre-existing images to create something new. This analogy, however, is fundamentally flawed. Human creativity involves critical thinking, reflection, and an awareness of context, all of which are absent in machine learning algorithms. These tools are not making creative decisions but rather manipulating probabilities to produce outputs.

The Role of the Prompter

If we assume that machine learning algorithms are capable of creativity, then the role of the prompter comes into question. In human terms, a commissioner giving specific instructions to an artist does not become the artist. The same logic should apply to AI-generated art. If the algorithm is the creative entity, then the prompter is merely a commissioner, not the creator.

The Ethical Dilemma of AI Art

A significant issue with AI art tools is their reliance on vast databases of pre-existing art, often compiled without the creators' permission. This practice amounts to a form of moral theft, where the labor of countless artists is exploited without compensation. These tools are not generating new art but converting the labor of others into new forms. Without this stolen fuel, AI algorithms cannot function, rendering any creative output fundamentally derivative and ethically problematic.

Homogenization and Bias in AI Art

Even if AI tools were trained on public domain data, they would still inherit the biases and limitations present in their training datasets. These biases lead to homogenization, where AI-generated art regresses to the lowest common denominator, copying what is most common and popular. This tendency stifles true creativity, which should push boundaries and explore new possibilities.

The Historical Context: Automation and Labor

The impact of AI art on the creative industry mirrors historical instances of automation displacing skilled labor. The advent of the automatic loom during the Industrial Revolution serves as a poignant example. While automation can bring efficiency and cost savings, it often comes at the expense of workers' livelihoods and well-being. The plight of the Luddites, who protested against mechanization in the textile industry, highlights the human cost of technological advancement.

AI Art as a Tool of Capital

AI art is a morally neutral tool, but like any tool, it can be used to exploit and harm. Corporations are likely to use AI art to drive down production costs and lay off workers, exacerbating economic inequalities. The potential benefits of AI art must be weighed against the human toll it may exact, as people's jobs, businesses, and dreams are jeopardized.

Potential Solutions and Ethical Considerations

Addressing the challenges posed by AI art requires thoughtful solutions and ethical considerations. One approach is to license the training data used to develop these tools, ensuring that artists are fairly compensated for their contributions. However, this solution may only benefit large corporations with the resources to pay for such licenses, further entrenching their dominance.

Another possibility is for artists to unionize and collectively manage AI tools, ensuring that the benefits of these technologies are shared equitably among creators. However, any solution must be grounded in the principles of consent and mutual benefit, avoiding exploitation and respecting the labor of artists.

The rise of AI art presents significant challenges and opportunities for the creative industry. While these tools have the potential to enhance creativity and efficiency, they also pose a threat to the livelihoods of many artists. As we navigate the ethical and practical implications of AI art, it is crucial to prioritize fairness, consent, and the well-being of creators. By addressing these issues thoughtfully, we can harness the potential of AI art while mitigating its negative impacts on the creative community.