AI Artists Exist!
There is a great bit of debate online as to whether people who use AI to generate images and video are in fact 'Artists'. I've written other articles about this subject, but thought it proper to narrow my perspective a bit. Generally, 'art' is about expression. The types and modes of expression that bring value to other humans, while varied, do generally contain certain patterns. AI models have been highly trained to express these patterns. So in some cases they would be the best tool for the job. In this article I will not be addressing the unethical sourcing of image models (which I fully disagree with).
Art isn't purely about pretty images and video. I do think that AI now enables those who haven't cultivated physical artistic skills to create expressions on par, and yes better than some traditional artists. Why wouldn't they? Consider the source data, which is originally human created, and imbued with all the required attributes. The videos may well be compelling or inspiring even. As with any technology, something is gained, in the case of 'art': speed of creation. And something is lost: individual physical labor. The labor is now fully mental. I can hear the AI artists starting to whine about how much mental labor they put into their work... Ok I can see your perspective slightly.
I've worked in video the games industry, I've always been pretty bad at playing games. If I'm honest, I don't enjoy most games too much... Would do my best to skip out on play tests. I am probably a bit of an anomaly as this is frowned on in the industry. Some people excel in the areas of playing games. So much so, we now have industries devoted to 'e-sports'. I am interested in 'e-sports' about as much as I'm interested in real sports. Still there is a useful comparison to be drawn, which is why I am bringing up the subject.
Now I suck at playing games, I'm quite certain that there are probably 4 year olds that would decimate me in just about any game. It has been proven scientifically that it does take a great deal of mental and physical agility to excel in playing games. So in a real sense, those at the top in e-sports are a type of real athlete. They have likely spent years cultivating the skill. It's precisely that cultivation that people respect, admire and find value in. Enough value so as to have an industry spring up to support it. The best players of Madden may likely have cultivated strategic skills that may be on par with professionals in the sports industry.
Now, here's the rub. Think of the best quarterback in football... Again don't follow sports, so not sure who it may be. Even so, when I think of the physical sport of football, even though I myself don't enjoy it... It goes without saying that any physical athlete must invest an immense amount of sweat and even blood to be truly good at what they do. Now compare the quarterback to the best e-sports Madden player. Is there any comparison? Be honest. I will concede that there is at least some, perhaps in time invested. As a respect for value proposition, the e-sports player will always be diminished.
This is where I think the AI artist exists, generally. They are like e-sports athletes, and traditional artists are like real ones. Some AI artists may create compelling content. Still, your best... most innovative prompt will never compare to months in front of a canvas, or years creating a film. This is precisely because of the tool you've chosen to work with, that's fine. Painters said this of photographers in 1855. They were right. The survivors became something else. Some of it was great. None of it was painting. Will you be able to create consumer content faster than any traditional artist? Sure, but then how much money will you make when production of it is near to free... And anyone can do it. Oh you think somebody will see that you're unique and can prompt better than the other millions of AI artists? Well I guess... at least now you know what it feels like to be an artist.