GenAI art’s potential in the creative industry, education
THE AI Summit 2024 at the University of Santo Tomas wasn’t just an event but a milestone that will continue to shape the tech landscape. This two-day onsite conference centered on the theme “Advancing AI Capability, Promoting AI Safety,” which brought together educators, researchers, industry practitioners, leaders of government, nongovernment, educational organizations and agencies to engage in meaningful conversations on the impact of the evolving field of AI on education, the workplace, and society as a whole.
On the first day, I talked to 470 participants about “Generative AI Art and its Potential in the Creative Industry and Education.” I explored how generative AI goes beyond language models to include art and creativity. My path into the world of artificial intelligence began right here, with the very column you’re reading, back in 2019. It’s funny; it all started with a single article idea, and now here I am, completely hooked on the art of AI.
Midjourney, an AI art generator, has enabled me to craft unique pieces by transforming text descriptions into images, such as a mesmerizing hybrid of a dancing girl in the Benguet mountains with a photograph from our family’s coffee farm. This passion led to my participation in artist communities and Open Calls, earning me a substantial grant for coffee-themed art.
Two of my artworks were selected for Women’s History Month by Loupe Art and the Hug Marketplace, where my pieces featured a woman farmer and the mountains. My work has also won prizes, focusing on themes such as technology and the representation of older women. With a year’s experience in AI art, I recognize its potential in education and the creative industry, yet its responsible use requires careful examination of potential drawbacks.
The assumption in using AI in education is that an AI competency framework is already in place for teachers and students. Right now, it is still a work in progress. As discussed in the summit, the AI competency framework for school students “will articulate the knowledge, skills and attitudes students should acquire to understand and actively engage with Al safely and meaningfully in education and beyond.”
In education, generative AI can visually enhance concepts from history, science and literature, providing tangible representations of abstract ideas. For example, in literature, high school students could ask the AI to visualize a pivotal scene from a book they read. This artwork would deepen their understanding of the scene and lead to discussions about the author’s choices and symbolism.
In the creative industry, AI expedites concept exploration for designers and artists, offers inspiration, and lowers entry barriers for those with limited training. It’s not just about generating variations; AI is a collaborative tool that expands horizons and helps refine ideas. A designer could use a prompt like “Scandinavian minimalism, open floor plan, statement lighting” to generate various room layouts and furniture arrangements. The artwork accelerates idea generation and helps clients visualize early concepts in a project.
However, the potential pitfalls are significant. Copyright and ownership issues arise, especially with ambiguous authorship and the unclear legal framework around AI-generated work. For instance, under my Mid Journey Pro Plan, I retain ownership of all assets created with the service “to the fullest extent possible under applicable law.” There are also exceptions. I have limited rights to use and remix images commercially.
There’s also a concern that AI might diminish appreciation for traditional artistic techniques, potentially hindering skill development. Yet, AI can democratize artistic expression, making it accessible to a broader audience. I’ve encountered legacy artists, such as JeepersMedia on the X platform, who combine AI with traditional tools. Artists can explore styles and techniques beyond their usual domain, leading to new artistic directions. Rough sketches can be fed into an AI system to produce variations and explore different compositions or color palettes.
In moving toward responsible integration, users of generative AI art must value transparency. One must view AI as an augmentative tool rather than a replacement for human creativity. Users of generative AI art should disclose the use of such generators when creating artwork to protect consumers and ensure artists receive proper credit. Human-AI collaboration doesn’t mean abandoning all traditional artistic techniques. Collaboration reminds us of the human artist behind the work, making copyright and artistic credit issues more transparent. Professional artists can embrace AI as a brainstorming or refinement tool. An illustrator may use AI for complex backgrounds, focusing on character design. In education, developing critical thinking skills is essential for evaluating AI-generated art.
Let’s commit to responsibly blending AI innovation with our creative spirit, shaping a future where technology amplifies human potential.