Technology | February 28th, 2024

Is The Rise of AI in Art and Culture… Necessary?

By: Alexis Rejouis | Staff Writer

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the integration of Artificial Intelligence has become pervasive, impacting various facets of society from learning tools to graphic design. 

AI has ebbed its way into art and culture, first as a playful toy but now as a severe form of creation. 

As AI tools increasingly find their way into art and culture, a debate has sparked regarding their role in creativity and innovation. While undeniably efficient, some argue that AI’s standardized approach may stifle true artistic originality.

AI tools have proven to be exactly what they say they are–tools that improve the operations of things exponentially. They have also been a hindrance to the creative spheres of society.

As people began using AI tools in everyday life, internet users simply began using AI text almost as a toy, using it to envision their future children. Still, now the possibilities of it have expanded as far as a marketing tool. 

According to a Forbes article written by Bernard Marr, the personalized output of AI tools to drive marketing is common for those working to promote their businesses.

“Advertising creatives have always strived to find formulas for creating adverts that will get people talking and sharing the message with their friends. Now, this can be done automatically using any number of AI-powered tools,” Marr said. “For example, headline generation algorithms that monitor how successful they are and tweak their output to achieve better metrics, such as the open rate of emails, or the share rate of social media posts.”

 For students, implementing AI tools can be seen as a helpful resource. Terrill Smith, a third-year graphic design student, discusses how AI technology has improved his design process.

 “AI really is a great tool to have. Especially with generative fill on Photoshop, you can use that feature to typically get an idea when you’re at a block in your design,” Smith said. “Also, just being an aid to me as a designer to get a pretty unique to get inspiration from or use all together in your design.”

 Although the use of this AI technology sounds incredible, who doesn’t like the sound of something cutting out all of the work in half the time? However, the use of faster, smarter technology comes with its challenges.

 In a LinkedIn post by Miryam Morron, the Director of Education at the Esports Academics, she details how the increased use of AI tools homogenizes society.

 “AI will be used to automate and standardize the learning process, leading to a homogenization of education that stifles creativity and originality,” Morron said. “While this can be a useful tool for designers and artists, there is a danger that it could lead to a homogenization of artistic expression that stifles creativity.”

 AI tools do not have the ability to think critically or form original thoughts but simply recreate what has previously been created. This means that the efficiency of creation is top tier, which is most likely great from a business standpoint, but actual artistic innovation is now standardized.

 In an article by Kapil Saxena, he talks about how generative AI, which is AI that functions on an input/output system, is corrosive to human creativity.

 “It’s about the journey of discovery, the process of innovation, and the intrinsic value of self-expression,” Saxena said. “Generative AI can assist, but it should never supplant the essence of what makes us uniquely creative beings.”

 Ultimately, whether AI enhances or hinders creativity may depend not on the technology itself but on how it is wielded by the human hands guiding its use. The key may lie in finding a balance—a symbiotic relationship between human creativity and AI’s computational power.