Art and technology have always driven change together. Now, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is stepping into the art world, promising a revolution that's both exciting and unsettling.
In 2020, the global pandemic pushed many art businesses online, marking the start of AI's noticeable emergence in art. As noted by Forbes, "It cannot be denied that AI is a remarkable technology" that's now integral to art markets, offering novel ways to buy and sell art through digital platforms (Source: *Forbes*).
AI as a New Creator
AI isn't just changing how we view or buy art; it's also creating it. Generative AI uses algorithms to make new art forms. According to Art, techniques like "neural style transfer" allow AI to blend artistic styles, while "Generative Adversarial Networks" (GANs) help AI learn and improve, creating art that sometimes surprises even seasoned artists (Source: *Art*).
This raises intriguing questions: Who gets the credit for AI-created art? Is it the artist who wrote the code, or the machine itself? These questions challenge traditional ideas of creativity and authorship.
Enhancing Art Markets
AI's biggest asset might be its ability to handle data. Dirk Boll from Christie's noted that processes like cataloguing can go from taking days "to just seconds with AI's help" (Source: *Forbes*). This speed and efficiency make AI invaluable in assessing art's market value, offering quicker and more accurate evaluations.
In one case, AI helped identify a painting as a lost work by Raphael, adding millions to its value. However, AI doesn't have access to all art sales data, which means predictions aren’t always perfect (Source: *Forbes*).
Changing How We Buy and Display Art
AI is personalising how we experience art. Online platforms like Saatchi and Artsy use AI to suggest art based on previous interests, simplifying purchases but also potentially narrowing artistic discovery (Source: *Art*).
Further, museums use AI to design exhibits that are more engaging. By analysing visitor feedback, AI can help create layouts or preserve artwork, making art more accessible and interactive (Source: *Art*).
Shaping Art Education
As AI becomes more popular in art making, new skills are needed. Artists might need to learn programming basics or how AI operates to incorporate it into their work. Yet, traditional creativity and critical thinking remain crucial, ensuring AI doesn't overpower human expression (Source: *Art*).
Looking Ahead with AI
AI is undoubtedly changing art, but it’s vital to balance its use with human creativity and critical judgment. It's a tool that, when used wisely, can expand what’s possible in the art world. Despite its capacity for data and automation, AI is best used alongside human emotion and imagination to enrich art.
In summary, AI is making waves but isn’t overtaking the art world. Instead, it stands as a potent partner in creation and innovation. Let's embrace this robo-creativity and see where it leads our ever-evolving artistic frontier.