The Evolution of AI Art: From Seeds to Masterpieces
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Chapter 1: The Current Debate on AI Art
In today's landscape, a significant discussion is unfolding: Is art produced by AI truly art? Does it hold a valid place in our society? What will happen to our culture if it becomes saturated with AI-generated pieces that often rival traditional art in quality?
On one hand, AI artists argue that they have discovered the ideal tools to translate their visions onto digital canvases. Conversely, traditional artists express concern that these tools threaten their livelihoods within a capitalist framework.
While my stance on this matter isn't firmly established, I believe there are parallels between contemporary AI artists and the early farmers of our world. In this article, I will elucidate this connection.
Section 1.1: The Shift from Hunting to Farming
In a hunter-gatherer society, survival depended heavily on strength and skill to track and hunt large prey. Individuals needed to craft precise stone tips for their weapons and understand the flora around them. For over a hundred millennia, this was the singular way of life.
However, approximately 10,000 years ago, the advent of agriculture transformed everything. Smart individuals realized they could cultivate crops instead of risking their lives in the wilderness for sustenance. While I acknowledge that farming is more complex than merely planting seeds and waiting for rain, it generally involves less peril than hunting large animals every few months.
From the perspective of ancient hunters, farmers appeared to engage in trivial tasks, seemingly idling while food magically materialized. Imagine the scorn and ridicule the first farmers must have faced.
Though farming lacked the heroic elements of hunting, it proved far more effective for food production. This shift ultimately led to the decline of hunter-gatherer societies and the emergence of early urban centers. Any innovation that simplifies human existence tends to thrive.
Section 1.2: AI Artists as Modern Farmers
Today's AI artists, utilizing platforms like DALL-E 2 and Stable Diffusion, mirror those early farmers. They plant a seed in the form of a prompt and patiently await the emergence of stunning artworks from a sea of Gaussian noise. I envision GPUs as their fields and initial images as fertilizers; lower-quality GPUs yield poorer results, while a lack of initial images can lead to unpredictable outcomes.
Unlike their traditional counterparts, AI artists need not spend days at a canvas, wielding brushes with expertise or drawing inspiration from their surroundings. With the right prompts, they can produce hundreds of masterpieces daily.
Thus, I contend that the ongoing Twitter debates may ultimately be inconsequential. This is merely a transitional phase. AI art is likely to flourish due to its efficiency, scalability, and minimal effort requirement. Furthermore, this movement opens the door for greater participation in art creation. It's essential to remember that we are only witnessing the first generation of AI art and artists; advancements will surely come. Yet, whether this progress benefits human civilization remains to be seen.
Chapter 2: AI Art in Practice
In the video "I Tried Selling A.I. Art for 30 days - Realistic Results," the creator explores the practical implications of selling AI-generated artwork. This experiment sheds light on market reactions and the acceptance of AI art among consumers.
The second video, "On My Mind #11: AI Art vs. Human Art, Copyright, and Power Dynamics," dives into the complexities of copyright issues and the evolving dynamics between AI-generated and human-created art. The discussion raises important questions about ownership and value in the art world.