Recently at an event that encourages middle schoolers to think about future careers and higher education I encountered a few students who questioned going into the arts. They weren’t put off by the “starving artist” reputation, but they were intimidated by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Many admitted they had hoped to go into the arts but now are questioning that dream “since AI can make anything now” and “AI is replacing artists anyways.” 

Has AI obsoleted the artist?

In fact, as we parse our way through using AI and integrating it into our lives, the need for human artistic vision is becoming more and more clear to industries seeking to save money by extensively using AI.

One issue is style. Remember that AI bases its creative styles on art that has been shared with it. It trolls the most common or popular styles to create visual images, animations, music, and text; the results, not surprisingly, are striking for how generic they are. Animations created by AI, for example, tend to mimic the style of Studio Ghibli or Pixar. The stories feel shopworn and share recycled plots. Without a professional artist’s hand, the winsome magic of an animated film or tv show is never achieved.

You also see this degradation to the conventional within logo design. There are many AI-based programs now that promote quick creation of a logo without hiring an artist. This is appealing to individuals and companies hoping to launch fast and inexpensively. However, as these companies grow, they often realize their instantly-created logo is inadequate for what their company has become—and is capable of being in the future. Logos built by AI that are inspired by a corpus of pre-existing images, are, not surprisingly, derivative. AI will probably not create a future Apple logo or Nike swoosh.

But introduce artists into the creative mix…and something unique can emerge, while at the same time exploiting AI’s strengths. In our animation example, teams of writers can create unexpected story lines that grab the audience’s attention because they don’t follow generic tropes. The animation team can create exciting new visual styles that match the story and reflect the values of the company…and don’t mimic the work of other studios. And then AI can be deployed in the animation process where it is needed. For example, syncing lip movement with audio is time-consuming, detail-oriented and not particularly thrilling to work on…ergo, the perfect task for AI!

When it comes to logo design, trained graphic designers understand the theory behind a good logo. They can help a client appreciate color choices and why a simplified design would work better than using an intricately detailed image. Most graphic designers also appreciate the requirements of printing companies, and can design a logo that will both translate into digital media and reproduce powerfully in print. From personal experience, I have seen the disappointment of business owners when the complex image they created did not look like what they expected when they saw it printed on promotional items and business cards. Clients may not understand terms like “resolution,” or appreciate that the printing company charges for each color used. Customers often fight against simplifying their personal vision until they see the final piece by a designer.

AI doesn’t have the expertise to warn the client away from complicated, multicolored designs that they want to see printed on a promotional pencil, or a beach towel.

One final, and surprising, challenge is how complex it can be to change something made in AI by a non-artist. I recently spoke with a friend who was proud of a piece they made in AI but were upset that they could not alter a particular color in the image. They also were frustrated with how AI gave awkward limbs and fingers to the figures in the image…and then they couldn’t easily remedy the problems. Even an experienced artist may need to re-type and adjust prompts to achieve their vision…or failing that, the troublesome image has to be uploaded into a software program to make the needed changes.

Because AI-generated art requires editing, I always encourage my students to take at least one art-related software class or a class in the Computer Information Systems field. For students who decide that they don’t want an art-related career, but still love art, I encourage them to do a double major or minor in art so that they keep their creative skills fresh. When speaking with those interested in the arts as a career, I try to have a list that I can share with them of varied careers that need artists or creative thinkers. 

AI hasn’t replaced the artist. It’s just a new tool that artists can use to expand the field.

Questions

  1. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of companies using AI without an artist. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of companies using an artist instead of AI.

  2. Research the copyright laws for AI-generated artwork. How might the law affect individuals or companies? According to the law, could a company copyright a logo created using AI? Why or why not? 

  3. Research careers in art. What skills and requirements are needed for the job? How might AI change or be used in each career you’ve found? What future skills may be needed for each career that involves AI?