Critics are lacking the purpose of AI artwork

Sep 6, 2024
Artists have experimented with algorithms and randomness for greater than a century.Illustration by The AtlanticSeptember 6, 2024, 2:41 PM ET That is Atlantic Intelligence, a e-newsletter wherein our writers provide help to wrap your thoughts round synthetic intelligence and a brand new machine age. Join right here.At this time’s generative-AI instruments can concoct gorgeous designs and playful prose with the push of some buttons. That, in flip, has bred fears about how the expertise may harm human artists and writers, and led many, of their protection of humanity, to a well-intentioned however confused declare. Even when AI can produce pictures and textual content, critics argue, these merchandise are designed to obviate human intent and expression, and thus can by no means actually make “artwork.” On this vein of pondering, people can by no means use AI to make artwork; the expertise is a artistic void.The newest, and maybe highest profile, voice to make this argument was the acclaimed science-fiction writer Ted Chiang, writing in The New Yorker final weekend. However, as I wrote in response yesterday, the declare that AI fashions can't be used for artwork, as a result of they cut back human intention, is improper—artists and writers have experimented with algorithms and randomness of their work for greater than a century, and AI is simply one other such device. “In consequence,” I wrote, “although he clearly intends in any other case, Chiang winds up asking his reader to simply accept a constrained view of human intelligence, creative apply, and the potential of this expertise—and maybe even of the worth of labor itself.”Illustration by Ben Kothe / The AtlanticTed Chiang Is Incorrect About AI ArtworkBy Matteo WongOver the weekend, the legendary science-fiction author Ted Chiang stepped into the fray, publishing an essay in The New Yorker arguing, because...

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