AI and art
Lately, there is a lot of talk about artificial intelligence. As a person who grew up with ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, I'm still not completely sure how to feel toward AI. When I was a child, I often fantasized about things that are now not only possible but also quite common, thanks to the advancement of technology. For example, how cool it would be to have a remote-controlled model plane and to watch the world above on your screen? Or to have a fully equipped music studio in your home. Or maybe a computer that can talk. However, when it comes to AI, I'm rather skeptical and not so thrilled. I must admit that I still haven't tried using ChatGPT or something similar. On the one hand, I simply didn't feel the need. On the other, the aggressive infiltration of AI into more and more areas frightens me, to say the least. My first thought about AI would probably be: "a potentially good servant, but also the worst possible master".
I won't go into tech details or the positive possibilities of AI. One must admit that the proposition of having someone or something do things for you always sounds attractive. Especially when it comes to boring, tedious, or dangerous tasks. What I'm mostly interested in is the use of AI for creative purposes, art in particular. I assume that many traditional and old-school people would categorically claim that computers are not all-powerful as they seem and incapable of thinking like humans. Talk about emotions, personality, intuition, creative thinking, and talent. Things that true art is made of. However, relentless progress tends to speak differently.
Let's assume that computers can create art as well as humans or will be able to soon. How should artists and those hoping to become one feel about it? Some might cross off AI in the start, with revulsion. However, some might give it a chance, as yet another form of creativity. One of the pioneers of electronic music, Jean-Michel Jarre, was always open and forthcoming about new technologies, ever since his beginnings in the early 1970s. In several more recent interviews, Jarre has spoken about modern music technology with plenty of enthusiasm, even when it comes to AI.
Although I actively use computers and technology in my music, I probably wouldn't succumb to using AI for creative processes like composing or arranging. This just feels like cheating to me. Truth be told, the question of what art is rather blurred these days. For instance, you can buy premade music loops and sequences online and then use those to make music. In the process, you don't have to play, sing, or record a single note. Is this also art? Maybe. But try comparing sculpture with building models out of LEGO bricks. The use of AI goes a step further. You simply type in what you want to "create", then choose the desired parameters and hit "Enter". Afterward, you only need to sign your name...
In any case, like every other form of technology, AI brings many interesting possibilities but also plenty of room for misuse. We should be using and developing it further responsibly. One well-known physicist stated that he is afraid of the future development of AI, especially without strict control. If we don't watch out and employ enough skepticism, we could experience the scenario that James Cameron portrayed in his classic, "The Terminator".