AI art generators, such as DALL-E 2 and Midjourney, have taken the internet by storm recently. On the surface, this seems like a good thing. It's a fun tool that anyone can use, and it provides a way for people to visualize their imagination in a faster, easier way than ever before.
Personally, I have no problem with people experimenting with AI, or even posting "finished works" generated by AI, as long as they are honest about how it was made. What troubles me is when people post AI generated images and claim that they are original paintings. Unfortunately this has been common on Art Station and Deviantart lately.
The worst part about the new AI craze is that it makes all digital art suspect, and that's not fair to artists who have put a lot of time into honing and perfecting their craft. It's also not fair to the artists whose work is being mimicked by AI. AI images that emulate the work of popular artists such as Gustave Klimt, Bouguereau, and Frank Frazetta are common, and I'm sure many contemporary artists are being imitated as well. For an artist to have their signature style (which they have likely been cultivating their entire life) be imitated in minutes by a person with a computer program must be frustrating, to say the least.
Tangible art - as well as our sense of what is normal and real - is slowly being chipped away by technology. Photography, computers, the internet, photoshop, and 3d printing have all had a major impact on the art world. The impact of AI is yet to be fully realized.
The question is, is this a problem that can (or should) be solved? If art sites like Deviantart and Art Station created specific categories for AI art, would people be less likely to try to pass off generated images as "human-made?" Or would it only make the problem worse?
Are artists just going to have to get used to the fact that their craft has been forever changed by technology, in the same way that blacksmiths, coopers, and other craftsmen have?
Or is the existence of AI a purely positive thing, that will simply push artists to become better?
How does everyone else feel about this? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
How long have you been on DeviantArt? A little over 2 years, I think.
What does your username mean? My first name, my last initial, my birth year
Describe yourself in three words. Shy, sentimental, creative.
Are you left or right handed? Right.
What was your first deviation? A pencil drawn portrait: Portrait #1
What is your favourite type of art to create? It depends on my mood. Digital art, traditional art, and photography are all fun!
If you could instantly master a different art style, what would it be? Sculpture or watercolors.
What was your first favourite? This Aries drawing, apparently (which is odd since I'm a Pisces): Aries
What type of art do you tend to favourite the most? Photography or fantasy art (especially Tolkien themed art).
Who is your all-time favourite deviant artist? I have so many! ekukanova, kimberly80, liga-marta, breathing2004, wavesheep
If you could meet anyone on DeviantArt in person, who would it be? I honestly have no idea. I never really thought about meeting anyone on here before...
How has a fellow deviant impacted your life? Hmm...I've received plenty of inspiration and support from all the other artists out there, thats for sure! A few years ago a deviantart member who I know in real life gave me a wacom tablet as a gift, and that pretty much changed the way I approach art entirely.
What are your preferred tools to create art? Once upon a time it was paper and pencil. Now I mostly use a wacom tablet and photoshop.
What is the most inspirational place for you to create art? In bed :-P I'm not even kidding.
What is your favourite DeviantArt memory? I get excited pretty much every time I discover an awesome new artist. The first time I received a commission was pretty nifty