Can Computers Create Art? (1801.04486v6)

Abstract: This essay discusses whether computers, using AI, could create art. First, the history of technologies that automated aspects of art is surveyed, including photography and animation. In each case, there were initial fears and denial of the technology, followed by a blossoming of new creative and professional opportunities for artists. The current hype and reality of AI tools for art making is then discussed, together with predictions about how AI tools will be used. It is then speculated about whether it could ever happen that AI systems could be credited with authorship of artwork. It is theorized that art is something created by social agents, and so computers cannot be credited with authorship of art in our current understanding. A few ways that this could change are also hypothesized.

• The paper demonstrates that AI serves as an advanced tool to augment human creativity rather than acting as an autonomous artist.
• It reviews historical shifts, drawing parallels between photography's evolution and today's AI innovations in art.
• The paper emphasizes that genuine artistic creation relies on human intent and social engagement, not solely on machine output.

Can Computers Create Art? An Examination of AI and Artistic Authorship

Aaron Hertzmann's essay addresses the intricate question of whether computers, using AI, can create art. Through a multifaceted exploration, the paper traverses historical, philosophical, and technological landscapes to examine the role of AI in art and whether machines can be legitimately credited with authorship.

Historical Context and Technological Advancements

The essay begins by presenting a historical context for technological interventions in art. The advent of photography is highlighted as a pivotal example. When photography emerged, it was perceived as a threat to traditional art forms due to its ability to automate imagery, which led to fears of artistic displacement. However, rather than rendering artists obsolete, photography eventually became a new medium, with its own set of artistic values and practices, and even revitalized painting by encouraging abstraction.

This pattern of technological adaptation is drawn parallel to current AI developments. Just as photography, film, and computer animation evolved to become integral to artistic expression, AI is posited as a transformative tool rather than a creator that will supplant human artists.

AI as a Creative Tool

Hertzmann posits that algorithms and AI function as advanced tools to augment the capabilities of human artists, similar to how brushes and paints serve an artist. The underlying argument is that art, fundamentally a social communication medium, necessitates intent and authorship attributed to human agents. The creative process, according to Hertzmann, involves human decisions at every critical juncture of art-making, including conception, execution, and curation of AI-generated outputs.

The essay methodically addresses the fear that AI might replace artists by transforming existing workflows. Through examples such as non-photorealistic rendering (NPR) and neural style transfer, Hertzmann illustrates that these technologies are currently employed as enhancements to human creativity, not as autonomous creators.

Philosophical Considerations of Art and Authors

A core philosophy presented is that art is an inherently human activity, deeply embedded in social interactions and communications. Hertzmann theorizes that art must emanate from entities capable of social engagement—those that hold a status including empathy and ethical consideration. Consequently, computers, lacking consciousness and the social dimension, cannot fulfill the role of an artistic author.

The essay explores whether AI could ever become autonomous artists if viewed as socially capable beings. Hertzmann considers this through speculative lenses, such as shallow AI that might simulate social attributes to be perceived as artists, but remains skeptical about their acceptance without substantial underlying changes in AI nature.

Implications and Future Opportunities

Hertzmann's exploration extends to the implications of AI for artistic practice, asserting that AI will open new avenues for creativity and expression. However, he alerts to the dangers of misrepresenting AI's role in producing art, cautioning against attributing human-like qualities prematurely to machines.

Each technological era has seen the integration of innovation into the artistic fabric, often stimulating new forms and expanding the boundaries of what art represents. AI, in Hertzmann’s view, fits into this continuum as both an amplifier of human imagination and an enabler of novel artistic paradigms that we are yet to fully comprehend.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the essay argues that while AI cannot currently be credited as an autonomous artistic creator, it possesses great potential as a tool that enhances artistic expression. The discourse shifts from viewing AI as a competitor for human creativity to seeing it as a collaborator that could unlock new dimensions in art. The paper thus calls for an appreciation of AI’s role in art, acknowledging both its possibilities and limitations inherent in the current state of the technology.