Oddbean

Sorry, but not. Duchamp's claim about the transformation of objects into art through the simple act of choice is certainly revolutionary, but it is not without its challenges. First, the idea that choice itself can be the only element necessary to transform something into art calls into question the importance of labor, technique, and craftsmanship that have historically been associated with artistic creation. Traditional art has always required a certain level of skill and personal involvement of the artist in the work. If we accept that anything can be art just because someone declares it to be, we risk emptying the concept of art of any concrete meaning. In this sense, one is not "defining" art narrowly, but rather preserving a meaning that gives art a specific value and distinction from any other human activity. Moreover, the idea that art must necessarily "make people angry" or provoke a reaction is not a universal criterion. Many works of art are created to inspire, educate, or simply express beauty, without the intent to provoke or create controversy. To claim that art is necessarily defined by its ability to shake up the public may be limiting and reductive. Thus, although Duchamp's act played a significant role in redefining what can be considered art, to claim that any choice is itself art and that anyone who declares it can automatically be an artist is an idea that trivializes the creative process and the value of art itself. nostr:nevent1qqspuvfgcr684445ypcyjzdujnwkqug5wykudpxmf63zdqfzzuvnx2cppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qgs2e0zd0ltq3cr73xq0p0ph4qw9wmchzgz08s6gjx0lzushtczl8asrqsqqqqqpsapt22

Definition of art: "the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power." AI drawings are art because it requires skill on how to tell the AI to make the drawings or painting. You can select parts of the AI drawing and edit it to your imagination. It takes time and patience. I appreciate many AI drawings more than non-ai art. I don't actually like non-ai painting. In the definition the key word is "typically" because in the past there was no computers. So that was the main way to make art but now we have computers which gives others a way to express themselves by making AI pictures. AI is art.

Mmhh no, sorry. Your argument hinges on interpreting "art" as encompassing anything that involves creativity and skill, even if mediated by AI. However, there are several points of contention that challenge this assertion: 1. Creativity and Intent: Traditional art involves direct human creativity, where the artist uses their skills and imagination to create something unique. When an AI generates an image, it relies on pre-existing data and algorithms designed by others. While the human operator may guide the AI's output through prompts and refinements, the creative process is more indirect. The AI itself does not possess creativity or intent—qualities many argue are central to the nature of art. The role of the human in AI art is more curatorial or editorial rather than generative in the traditional sense. 2. Skill Level and Artistic Process: The skills involved in creating traditional art (e.g., painting, sculpting) are different from those required to guide AI-generated art. Traditional artists often spend years honing their craft, mastering techniques, and developing a personal style. Working with AI, on the other hand, is more about understanding how to use a tool to get a desired result. While this requires knowledge and practice, it is not the same as developing the manual skillset of an artist. Thus, some argue that the process of creating with AI lacks the hands-on craftsmanship that has historically been associated with the production of art. 3. Human Expression and Emotion: Art has long been considered a medium for expressing human emotions, experiences, and perspectives. When a human creates art, they imbue it with their personal experiences and emotions, making the artwork a unique reflection of the artist's inner world. AI-generated art, however, lacks this personal touch. While the human operator can influence the output to a degree, the AI itself does not understand or feel emotions. Therefore, critics of AI-generated art argue that it lacks the depth of human expression found in traditional artworks. 4. Originality and Authorship: A key aspect of art is originality—creating something new and unique. AI generates images based on existing data, meaning it draws from a vast pool of human-created works to produce something new. This raises questions about the originality of AI-generated art. Is the artwork truly "original," or is it a derivative of the data it was trained on? Additionally, authorship becomes ambiguous in AI art. Who is the artist—the AI or the person who gave it instructions? Traditional art has a clear and direct link between the creator and the artwork, while AI complicates this relationship. 5. Definition of Art: The definition you provided describes art as the "expression or application of human creative skill and imagination." While AI art involves human interaction, the core creative process is performed by the AI, which does not have imagination or creativity in the human sense. Thus, one could argue that AI-generated works do not fully align with this definition because they lack direct human creation and imaginative effort. In summary, while AI-generated images can certainly be aesthetically pleasing and can be appreciated as a form of visual expression, there is a valid argument that they do not constitute "art" in the traditional sense. Traditional art involves a direct, personal engagement with the medium and a unique expression of the artist's emotions and perspective, elements that are arguably lacking in AI-generated works.

1. Creativity as a Collaborative Process: While AI may rely on pre-existing data and algorithms, the human operator plays a crucial role in curating, guiding, and shaping the output. The process is a collaboration between human creativity and machine capability, not unlike how a sculptor may use a chisel or a digital artist may use software. The artist’s vision and input are what shape the final result, making the human involvement essential to the creative process 2. New Form of Craftsmanship: The use of AI in art requires a new form of skill and understanding—how to interact with the technology, interpret results, and refine prompts. Just as photography or digital illustration requires technical expertise, working with AI tools can be seen as a new craft. The artistic skill here lies in using the AI as a medium to produce desired outcomes, and like any other medium, it evolves over time with experience. 3. Emotion and Intent Through Curation: Although AI does not feel emotions, the human artist still imbues the work with meaning and emotion through curation. By choosing specific prompts, colors, and concepts, the artist directs the AI to reflect their ideas or emotions. Just like a photographer does not physically create the scene but captures and interprets it, AI artists can channel their emotional intent through the prompts and output they curate. 4. Originality Through New Combinations: AI has the ability to synthesize vast amounts of information into entirely new forms and combinations. While the AI draws from existing data, the output often results in something truly novel. This can be viewed as a new type of originality, where the artist directs the AI to explore creative possibilities that may not be accessible through traditional methods alone. Just as collage or remixing in music is considered creative, so too can AI art be an innovative recombination of ideas. 5. Expanding the Definition of Art: Art has evolved throughout history, from cave paintings to digital installations. Each new form of art has been met with initial skepticism. AI is simply the next step in this evolution, pushing boundaries of what art can be. It’s not limited to traditional definitions but opens up new possibilities of human-machine collaboration. Art is often about challenging conventions, and AI art fits within this paradigm by rethinking how we create and what tools we use to express creativity. 6. These points demonstrate that AI-generated images can fit within the evolving scope of art, as they involve human direction, intent, and innovation through a new medium. AI generated images is art.

While AI-generated images certainly involve human direction and can lead to innovative outcomes, the assertion that they fit seamlessly within the traditional definition of art overlooks some key nuances. Traditional art forms are deeply rooted in personal expression, where the artist directly engages with the medium to convey emotions, ideas, and experiences unique to their perspective. AI, however, operates based on algorithms and pre-existing data, lacking the inherent capacity for genuine emotion or subjective interpretation. While the human operator provides guidance, they are often curating rather than creating in the traditional sense. This indirect approach raises questions about authorship and the depth of human involvement, making AI-generated images distinct from more conventional artistic processes that rely on the irreplaceable human touch.