Introduction:

The realm of generative technology has emerged as a mind boggling force, pushing the boundaries of digital creativity into exciting yet unknown territory. Today we explore the current trends in AI generative technology, delving into the forces and people leading the future landscape, the current moral concerns surrounding AI, the artistic human endeavors ongoing right now with AI, and the promising future that lies ahead.

At the forefront of the AI revolution there are people who have played crucial roles in shaping the current trends in AI image tools. Names like Ian Goodfellow, and OpenAI, Midjourney's Ilya Sutskever, and Greg Brockman (not to mention Elon Musk as a board member), have paved the way for a new era of artistic exploration and creation through their efforts in AI advancements.

For those of us that love and follow AI art creators, call them AI artists, digital designers or just plain application users is up for debate but the fact is that they are producing art unlike anything we haver ever seen from traditional methods. We do not believe that AI will replace traditional artists, photography or photographers. It is simply a new medium for the creation of complex conceptual art, unique ones in fact. AI generated art can allow you to create things simply not possible with a camera or brush alone. Used skillfully in the hands of a creative it can be an amazing tool to create mind boggling imagery and fulfill the most demanding graphic needs.

What are AI artists creating now? Is AI artwork real art at all? Can we even call them artists?

From realistic photography to outstanding psychedelic fractals, to surreal otherworldly landscapes, artists are exploring the ability of machine learning and artistic expression, creating pieces that captivate the human imagination. Notable AI artists like Refik Anadol, Sougwen Chung, and Robbie Barrat are leading the charge, producing awe-inspiring visual works that challenge our perceptions of the limits of art (see below examples of mind bending artwork created by us).

How far can you go with AI image generation and is the sky the limit? Here we’ve been testing just that. Say for example you want to create a fashion photoshoot where a woman appears floating and is being carried by airy fabrics with all sorts of complex photoshop effects, this would cost an entire production crew and maybe even a five figure budget. With apps like Midjourney you could accomplish this in a couple hours with the right understanding of AI tools and a skilled workflow.

There are drawbacks of course, the current algoriths struggle with producing totally natural human anatomy. Many images will show missing fingers or awkward body posture that looks unnatural. These algos have gotten better with V 6.0 of Midjourney but the tech is still in its infancy.

Worries About Generative AI and Navigating Ethical Concerns:

While the strides in generative AI are awe-inspiring, they come with their share of ethical concerns. Issues such as deepfakes, copyright infringement, and biases in algorithms raise questions about the responsible use of AI-generated content. Many images still generate logos and text embedded into images even though fragmented it still raises concerns about unintentional copyright infringement. Side note it does seem based on our testing that AI does not copy content but rather style. For example the signatures and logos that pop up in some generated images seem to be only a “style” rather than a “borrowed” part of an online image. Doing a reverse image search of images or name lookup from some of these logos tend to return no matching results.

There is also the matter of theft of artist styles which concerns many artists. The legal lines are currently blurred but it seems that copying style isn't infringement of copyright but rather theft and use of the actual produced content. For example using an image of Star Wars character from a Disney owned image might constitute infringement but Star Wars inspired fan art is not (not legal advice of course).

Let us pose a philosophical question for debate:

To what extent is “human” learning of artistic styles and imitation considered theft? Is an artist learning to paint like Van Gogh in a post impressionist style a thief? Most would argue not. Using this logic we can assume that although AI is more advanced at mimicking a wide variety of artistic styles, it is just generating complex artworks through style learning the same way a human would (the playing field not being level of course). Many artists feel threatened by this and it is understandable. I will not argue against the fact that physically hand created art has more tangible value, but it is comparing apples to oranges here. The type of art that can be created with AI can be very different and I mean in a surreal “mind boggling” way if you have the creativity to explore complex abstract concepts.

AI art for some evokes a negative reaction, some people calling it lazy, unskilled and cheap. What makes art really art at all? Isn’t it the human imagination behind it not the tools? If a painter didn’t make the paint and the canvas used in an oil painting does that mean that they did not create art? AI tools allow the imagination to run unbound, if you can learn to use the tools well you can create whatever you can imagine, this has certainly been a life changing and fulfilling experience for myself allowing me endless experimentation.

Boycotting AI is not the solution, it is happening in all fields not just the art space and it will take everyone by surprise sooner or later, you can get on the train or you can fall behind. Striking a balance though between innovation and ethical considerations is crucial to ensuring the responsible evolution of AI generative technology.

The Bright Future of AI Generative Image Technology:

Despite the concerns, the future of AI generative image technology is bright, As algorithms continue to evolve, AI artists will have access to more sophisticated tools, enabling them to push the boundaries of what is visually possible. The integration of AI into mainstream artistry is inevitable and will only get more impressive. I do believe someday AI art will get copyright protection and will be a solid art genre in itself. Many years ago people rejected the notion of digital cameras and photoshop as cheating, now look at the photography landscape - totally changed, at the core though it is still agreed it is the photographer that makes the image not the camera.

My personal journey into the world of AI-generated art has been nothing short of extraordinary. While concerns persist, the promise of a bright future where technology and creativity coalesce is undeniably exciting ushering in a new era where the digital canvas becomes an infinite playground for the human imagination to expand without limit. All humans should have the right to explore and express themselves freely through art regardless of the medium. After all, the ability to think, play and imagine is what makes us human at the core.

About me: I am a photographer and digital designer and have had a lifelong obsession with all forms of art. Creating art without imaginative constraint is truly a mind melting experience for me. Want to see more? Visit my digital art gallery or Instagram below:

What are your thoughts on generative AI art? Leave us a comment below and lets get a conversation going.