Article

Imagem gerada com o auxílio de IA. 

Generative AI as a Creative Tool: 

A New Perspective on the Artistic Process 

Cícero Lopes

24/10/2024, atualizado em 12/11/2024

The introduction of generative AI technologies into the art world has sparked intense debates on ethics, originality, and the role of human artists. However, as we delve deeper, we realize that AI is not a threat but rather a powerful tool for expanding creative potential. 

The Creative Process: Parallels Between Humans and AI 

When analyzing the human creative process, we notice similarities with how AI functions. Just as AI combines processed information from vast datasets to generate something new, the human mind also processes references, experiences, and information over a lifetime, transforming them into unique creations. The difference lies in the nature of this processing: while humans bring emotions, intuitions, and personal experiences into their work, AI performs this task algorithmically. Nonetheless, these two forms of processing can coexist and complement each other. 

AI as a Creative Tool, Not a Substitute 

The criticism that AI "steals" from artists by using large datasets to generate new works overlooks a fundamental aspect of human creativity: we, too, are inspired by other works, styles, and references throughout our artistic journey. An artist's learning is built on observing masters of the past, absorbing different influences, and combining ideas to create something new. The distinction lies in the conscious creative intentionality of humans. 

Collaboration, Not Conflict 

Considering this reality, it becomes clear that AI follows a similar process, albeit without consciousness or subjectivity. It uses references to create something new, just like an artist studying multiple styles to find their own voice. Therefore, AI should be seen as a tool that accelerates experimentation and the discovery of new possibilities, not as a threat to creativity. 

Imagem gerada com o auxílio de IA. 

Examples of Collaboration 

Artists can use AI to generate initial sketches, explore new compositions, or discover unexpected visual elements. From there, the human creative process takes over, refining, personalizing, and imprinting emotional and subjective marks on the final piece. In this scenario, AI doesn’t eliminate the artist’s role; it enhances it by offering new tools for innovation. 

Ethics and Respect for Human Work 

The use of AI raises legitimate ethical questions, especially regarding permission from artists whose works are used to train these models. The solution is not to reject AI but to regulate its use fairly. Establishing rules to ensure artist compensation and the responsible use of their work is essential to balance technology with respect for intellectual property. 

A New Horizon for Art 

The integration of AI into artistic creation not only redefines the boundaries of collaboration but also compels us to reexamine our understanding of "creativity." As the lines between human and artificial become increasingly fluid, fundamental questions about authorship, originality, and the value of art arise. In this new horizon, art may not only be transformed but also become a deeper reflection of the human condition, embodying both human emotion and subjectivity alongside AI’s logic, precision, and large-scale processing capability. This synergy challenges our traditional notions of artistic expression, authorship, and aesthetic appreciation, opening pathways to new forms of expression, questioning modernity, and exploring the value of art in the 21st century, ultimately redefining the role of the artist, the observer, and art itself in our increasingly interconnected and technologically advanced society. 

Conclusion 

The use of AI in art should be embraced and explored, provided it is done ethically and consciously. By adopting this new tool, we can discover new forms of expression and expand the boundaries of art while keeping human contribution at the heart of the process. After all, creativity, whether human or AI-assisted, remains a force that transforms and inspires. 

By Cícero Lopes Journalist Illustrator and Graphic Designer