By: Naiya (Y13)
With the rising use of artificial intelligence, a natural development is its incorporation into the
world of art. New tools can generate ideas, enhance creativity and even create art itself. A
particular resource is one where prompts or instructions can be given to fabricate a piece of
artwork. However, an issue arises from this tool; who is the artist of said artwork?
Ironically, I asked ChatGPT to define what an artist is for me. The overall idea it gave was
someone that engages in creative processes to make original and meaningful art, with an ability
to resonate with themselves, as well as others. An interesting aspect of this definition is the
message of uniqueness and individuality from the artist. Personally, I see this as proof of both
the artificial intelligence and the user collaborating as artists for a single piece of art.
The exceptional quality of artificial intelligence is that it learns. Each response given is based on
language, nuance, and context. Therefore, if two different people were to ask the exact same
question in comparable circumstances, an AI’s response would be similar for both, but not the
same. This results in originality from the artificial intelligence and, assuming the artist is
expressing their own idea they want to be realised, the user as well.
Alternatively, it is also arguable that AI tools which create images, based on prompts from a
user, are the only artist of the artwork. This is because the outcome is wholly in the proverbially
hands of the AI and when going back to the definition of artistry, an artist must engage in a
creative process. The user doesn’t technically partake in any sort of creative process. Yes, they
have an idea they would like to achieve, but I feel they themselves have not accomplished
anything. However, great an idea is, it is just an idea. It will always pale in comparison to a real
outcome. The AI actioned the artwork, not the user. So, when an artist interacts with artificial
intelligence, they risk emerging a regular, boring and uncreative individual.