Is artificial intelligence a friend or an enemy of art?

#Soul tech

02.26.2024 Reading time: 5 minutes

Mikeldi Donibane

Ilustration: Ángela Martínez

The creative world is facing a new frontier, and it's all about the rise of AI tools that are shaking up the realms of 2D and 3D design, image generation, illustrations, videos… you name it. Some people see these tech wonders as creative boosters, while others are still scratching their heads, wondering how this transformation will shake up their creative mojo and artistic identity.

So, I caught up with two innovative minds: Sara García, an experienced 3D designer, and Aitor Zugazagoitia, a visionary in the jewelry industry. We've been talking about what this new tech wave means for our crafts. Would you like to know how our conversation went down?

GENERAL PERCEPTION: IS IT A FRIEND OR A COMPETITOR?

First off, we dove into our general take on this new tech. We all agree that AI is a game-changer, full of promise and productivity, kind of like other milestones in digital creation history.

For Sara, AI is like a magical toolkit, promising to shake up her creative process. She sees it as an exciting resource that'll streamline her creations, bringing a fresh approach to her 3D art. She's all about teaming up with AI, stressing the importance of human work and talent in the mix.

Now, Aitor sees AI as a necessary evolution in various life domains, including jewelry business. From his angle, it's a productive and intriguing tool, opening new creative avenues in the said scene. When asked whether AI is a friend or a rival, he says he’s all about collaboration in this shared future. He's all about talent and imagination, and competition takes a back seat to the joint potential.

From my viewpoint, introducing this groundbreaking tech isn't just about enriching our creations; it's about democratizing access to a world of artistic possibilities, inviting everyone to join the revolution. There's only one thing that can outshine machines: the bond between humanity and AI.

INTEGRATION INTO PROCESSES: ON THE WAY

Talking about integrating AI into our creative process, we've all dabbled with this shiny new tool, although we've done it in different ways.

For Sara, it's all about ethical experimentation, using AI integrated into programs like Adobe. Meanwhile, for Aitor, AI represents a transformative tool in jewelry, opening up new horizons in his craft.

I found myself surprised by one aspect I hadn't considered at first: inspiration. I highlighted how AI gives me results that open up my mind, helping me find creative solutions to my design and communication needs.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES: DOES IT ADD UP OR TAKE AWAY?

When exploring the challenges and opportunities that AI brings, Sara anticipates adaptation challenges, although her process hasn't seen drastic changes so far. Aitor, on the other hand, sees rapid evolution in many markets, with more product variety and growth opportunities. As for me, I can only see benefits—I think it's all about mindset.

ARTISTIC IDENTITY AND ORIGINALITY

Sara isn't worried about losing her uniqueness; she sees the present as an exciting time for innovation. In contrast, Aitor believes that maintaining identity is crucial. He advocates for being true to oneself and fighting for personal artistic beliefs. I have a different view: I take for granted that AI will make us evolve, and we'll manage to have many recognized styles, not just sticking to a few.

ARTIST-MACHINE RELATIONSHIP: DOES IT LOVE ME OR NOT?

In describing the relationship between the artist and AI tools, Sara emphasizes the importance of human creativity, essential for guiding AI.

Aitor, on the other hand, highlights constant dialogue and evolution in this relationship, defending total freedom in artistic expression.

As for me, I think it brings a different perspective, based on business survival aspects, where those AIs that manage to attract users' attention and can also monetize their services will be the ones that set the course of this relationship. For me, the algorithm is key, and I even think that creative people should start creating AI programs since we are the ones who know our own needs best.

INDUSTRY IMPACT: ARE THEY TAKING OUR JOBS?

This has been one of the most talked-about topics in the past year, causing a lot of concern in the digital artist community. Sara downplays those worries, emphasizing the importance of quality in the digital art market.

Aitor, meanwhile, anticipates the beginning of a new era, projecting significant changes in demand and valuation in an AI-driven world.

As for me, I advocate for a didactic strategy, emphasizing that clients should be educated first, and then the target audience. I've experienced similar times in all my years as an artist, first with the birth of personal computers and then with the creation of the Internet, two revolutions that I experienced with an "early adopter" approach. These technologies, currently, allow me to feel comfortable with the emergence and adoption of AI tools.

WHERE DO WE STAND?

This dialogue between Sara, Aitor, and me reveals the mix and breadth of perspectives at the crossroads between human creativity and the transformation induced by artificial intelligence. In this exchange, the diversity of ideas flourishes when creative minds converge at the intersection of imagination and technological innovation. It represents the dynamic encounter between individual artistic expressions and the potential of artificial intelligence, gestating a present and future collaboration where machines and humanity intertwine to sculpt a unique creative and technological horizon.

Labels

  • #cocreación
  • #ciencia
  • #colaboración
  • #tecnología
  • #futuro
  • #arte

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