Who (or What) Is an AI Artist?

Abstract

The mainstream contemporary art world is suddenly showing interest in “AI art”. While this has enlivened the practice, there remains significant disagreement over who or what actually deserves to be called an “AI artist”. This article examines several claimants to the term and grounds these in art history and theory. It addresses the controversial elevation of some artists over others and accounts for these choices, arguing that the art market alienates AI artists from their work. Finally, it proposes that AI art's interactions with art institutions have not promoted new creative possibilities but have instead reinforced conservative forms and aesthetics.

Is AI Art Another Industrial Revolution in the Making?

“…Artists would especially want their work to be intrinsically different -earlier that could be achieved via both unique propositions of outcomes and of methodology, but now it would largely be the latter. It won't be a surprise to witness more conservative forms being reinforced (Browne 2022). Analogous possible trends of increased interest in niche artworks as against mass-produced ones would actually further promote such resorting to traditional artistry and differentiating means.…”