Artificial Intelligence
Reading Artificial Intelligence (AI) and art in the same sentence could appear bizarre at first. We often think that art and technology contrast in the same way that reason and feeling do, but the truth is different.
For some time now we have witnessed cross-collaborations between different fields, as for example between science and art. The incredible developments in computer vision of the last few years has pushed the creation of an artistic niche within digital art, giving life to the so-called Artificial Intelligence Art (AI Art). In this way, AI Art refers to any artwork created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence. This includes both works created in collaboration between man and machine, and those created by autonomous generative systems.
In the traditional artistic field, creation, inspiration and creativity are essential human features. In AI art these concepts somehow undergo an alteration, or rather they are pushed to the limit, investigated and reinterpreted also by the eyes of the machine.
In the last few years, AI has been successfully applied to music, design, fashion, film-making, writing and visual arts. This lead to a lively discussion, still ongoing and tinged with philosophical notes, which concerns both the creative act itself and the actors involved in the creation. Can a machine be autonomously creative? Or does the machine - in its creative act - become the latest work of art? How does the artist interact with a system that presents a certain grade of creative autonomy? Is the AI system just a tool, a collaborator or even an artistic partner? Is Artificial Intelligence just augmenting our intelligence, surfacing a potential we are not able to free by ourselves?
Aesthetics
With its potentially infinite possibility of image generation, AI is also producing new aesthetics.
[Fig.1] “Reborn” by artist collective diavlex. This is an AI-generated image of a hippo and inspired by endangered wildlife. Credits: diavlex; courtesy of Cueva Gallery.
“Some people call this artificial intelligence, but the reality is this technology will enhance us. So instead of artificial intelligence, I think we'll augment our intelligence.” — Ginni Rometty
Based on datasets, neural networks, tweaking of algorithms and other decisions made by the artist during the process, AI artworks’ appearance can vary a lot. With a wide range of outputs, spanning from traditional and conventional, to puzzling and uncanny, the artists are in the position to free their imagination and create something unique that could not be made otherwise. The aesthetics that emerge are able to create a different storytelling, pushing artist and public towards a deeper dialogue that co-creates the work of art.
Social Impact
Even if not interested in technology we are affected by it. As Artificial Intelligence is embedded in so many aspects of our life, AI Art becomes a means to unveil our relationship with it.
“An artwork unable to make people feel uncomfortable or to feel different is not one worth creating. This is the difference between the artist and the fool.” — Ai Weiwei
Many are the AI artists who make us reflect on the role of technology in our society, and how we relate to it at a personal level. Bringing a language that is child of its time, AI Art can help us to spot bias and dangers in the technology we use, create shared immersive experiences, and potentially make us to build better machines to improve society.
Keep reading and you will discover all about the magic world of AI Art!
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