Here is a series of questions from our AI workshop we plan for the next semester.
(I noticed the question of AI art and text pops up in this community quite frequently.)
I'm sharing it with you all so I can collect some feedback. . . . . . ໒(⊙ᴗ⊙)७✎▤
@staff - if this topic is deemed inflamatory, feel free to remove this thread
Question 1: What is Art, and Can a Computer Make It?
Introduction: Imagine you’re in an art gallery. You see a beautiful painting of a sunset.You can feel the warmth of the colors, the way the clouds are painted, and you might even wonder what the artist was feeling when they painted it.
Now, imagine that the artist isn’t a person - it’s a computer! How does that change the way you feel about the painting?
What is Art? Art has always been about human expression. When people make art, they are showing us their feelings, ideas, and their internal and external experiences. Think of famous paintings like the "Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci or the colorful "Starry Night" by Vincent van Gogh. These artworks are not just pictures; they tell stories and express emotions. A part of their artists time and personhood went into the creation of these works.
But now, computers are being used to "make art" too. AI can learn by looking at millions of pictures or paintings and then create its own versions. These computers don’t feel emotions like people do, but they can learn patterns and styles and remix them. This raises a big question: Can art created by a computer be as meaningful as art created by a human? How much of the art is in the creation process of an artwork - and how much of art is in the experience of an artwork as an outsider?
Examples to Think About:
- AI-Generated Music and Art: There are AIs like "DALL-E" or "Midjourney" that can take a simple description (called a "prompt") and turn it into a unique piece of art. For example, if you typed in "a dragon flying over New York City at sunset," the AI would make an image based on that description.
- Can AI Feel? Unlike human artists, who make art based on their feelings, memories, or thoughts, AI doesn’t have feelings. It doesn’t know what it’s like to be happy or sad. It just uses patterns it has "learned" to create something that looks like art. So, can something without feelings create something that truly expresses emotion?
- What do you think? Can a painting made by a computer be as special as one made by a person? Why or why not?
Question 2: The Ethics of AI Art: Is It Fair?
Introduction: Let’s imagine you’re a talented artist, and you spend a lot of time painting a beautiful picture.One day, you find out that someone used your picture to teach a computer to make art just like yours, and they didn’t even ask you!
How would you feel?
What is Ethics? Ethics are rules about what is right and wrong. When it comes to AI, ethics becomes really important because computers don’t know the difference between right and wrong. Computers just do what they’re told. So, people have to make sure they’re being used fairly.
Problems with AI Art:
- Using Art Without Permission: Many AI programs learn to make art by looking at millions of pictures from the internet. Some of those pictures belong to artists who didn’t give permission for their art to be used. This is like taking someone’s homework and copying it without asking!
- Bias and Fairness: If an AI learns from pictures that have a lot of stereotypes, it might create art that also has those stereotypes. For example, if an AI only learns from pictures of doctors who are men, it might think only men can be doctors, which isn’t true!
- Imagine an AI is taught using only pictures from a specific country. What kinds of biases might that AI have when it creates new art?
- Do you think it’s fair for AI to use people’s art without asking? Why or why not?
- How can we make sure AI art is fair and respectful to everyone?
Lecture 3: Is AI Really Making Art More Accessible?
Introduction: People who support AI in art often say it makes creating art easier for everyone.For example, you don’t need to know how to draw or paint; you just type a few words, and the computer makes the art for you.
But does that mean it’s truly helping everyone?
What Does "Accessible" Mean? Accessible means something is easy and more comfortable for everyone to use or reach. For example, a school with ramps makes it easier for people who use wheelchairs to get inside. So, when people say AI makes art more accessible, they mean more people have easy access to art.
Is AI Really Helping?
- Yes, It Can Help Some People: AI can help people who don’t have traditional art skills make (or rather commission) beautiful pictures. It can also help artists create or brainstorm new ideas and concepts or try things they never thought of before.
- But, There’s a Catch: While AI tools can help some people, they can also hurt professional artists who make a living from their art. Imagine you’re an artist who makes money by drawing pictures for people. If everyone starts using AI to make pictures for free, you might not get paid for your work anymore. This makes it hard for you to continue being an artist - which means working in jobs outside of creating art to support your living conditions.
- Think about famous artists today. Do you think they would be happy or upset if computers could make art just like theirs? Why?
- Can AI make art more accessible and still be fair to artists? How could this be done?
Lecture 4: Who Owns AI Art?
Introduction: Let’s say a computer creates a fantastic piece of art.Who owns it? The computer? The person who typed in the idea?
The company that made the AI? This question is really important and is still being debated today.
What is Ownership? Ownership means having the rights to something, like owning your bike or your favorite toy. When it comes to art, the owner usually has the right to decide what happens with their work. They can sell it, show it to others, or keep it private.
Who Owns AI Art?
- Different Opinions: Some people think that the person who comes up with the idea owns the art. Others believe that the company that built the AI should own it, especially if they provided the tools. But many people think that if the art is made by a computer and not a human, it should belong to everyone—like being in the "public domain."
- Legal Decisions: Recently, the U.S. Copyright Office decided that AI-generated art does not get the same protection as human-made art. This means that anyone could use it without asking permission. But this decision is still new, and things could change in the future.
- If you wrote a story using a computer program that suggested the words, who would own the story - you, the computer, or the company that made the program?
- Who do you think should own AI art, and why?
Lecture 5: The Future of AI in Art: What Could Happen?
Introduction: AI in art is not just about what’s happening now;it’s about what could happen in the future.
Could AI help us create things we’ve never imagined before?
Or could it change the way we value art and creativity?
What Could Happen?
- New Ways to Create Art: AI could become a tool that artists use to make new and exciting types of art. For example, some artists are already using AI to create digital sculptures or immersive experiences that feel like stepping into a different world.
- New Challenges for Artists: If AI becomes too powerful, it might take over many jobs that artists do today, like designing characters for video games or creating animations for movies. This could mean fewer opportunities for human artists to get paid for their work, resulting in less artists overall.
- Imagine if a computer could write books, paint pictures, make movies, and even compose music all by itself. Would there still be a place for human creativity?
- How do you think AI could change the future of art and creativity? Are there ways we could make sure that human artists are still valued?
Lecture 6: Why Does This Matter for Society?
Introduction: Art isn’t just something we hang on walls or watch on screens;it’s how we express ourselves and communicate with others.
So, when we talk about AI creating art, we’re also talking about how it could change our culture and our connections with each other.
Why Art Matters:
- Art as a Universal Language: Art helps people understand each other. It can tell stories, share feelings, and bring people together. If AI takes over creating art, we might lose some of that personal connection.
- What’s at Risk: If big companies control most of the art being created, they could decide what kinds of stories get told or which types of art become popular. This could limit the variety of voices and ideas that we see in art.
- Think about your favorite book, movie, or song. How would you feel if you knew it was created by a computer instead of a person? Would it change how much you enjoy it?
- How important is it to have human voices in the art we enjoy? What could happen if those voices become fewer and fewer?
Lecture 7: Conclusion – The Balance Between Humans and AI
Wrap-Up: AI is a powerful tool that is changing the way we create and experience art.It can be exciting to think about all the possibilities, but we also need to consider the challenges and questions it brings.
Final Questions to Consider:
- Can computers really understand what it means to be creative?
- How can we use AI in a way that respects human artists and their work?
- What kind of world do we want to create with these new tools?