More than 700 creators occupied nearly 1,100 booths at the Illust Fusion EXPO 2026 in Bangkok this past weekend. As Thailand's largest independent art market returned, the event highlighted a growing tension in the creative sector: how independent artists can build community in person while managing the integration of artificial intelligence into their daily workflows.
The value of physical markets
Organized by Anitime under Enterdock, the two-day event drew thousands of visitors to Siam Paragon. Last year's edition set a record with 16,523 attendees, proving that physical art fairs remain vital for independent creators. These events offer direct revenue and audience feedback that digital platforms cannot replicate.
Cartoonist Nuan, creator of the long-running comic "Nuan", emphasized this distinction. "Online, people comment on your work, but here you can see how they connect with the characters and stories in real life," he said. "It's also a chance to meet other creators and learn how people in the industry think and work."
Artists weigh in on AI
Discussions at the expo revealed divided opinions on artificial intelligence. Some professionals view it as a practical assistant for research, idea development and project planning. Others see it as a direct threat to intellectual property and original authorship.
Nuan argued that local debates often fixate on defining who qualifies as an artist rather than examining constructive uses of technology. He noted that creators have more opportunities today through self-publishing and direct audience engagement. "There's more to being original than whether someone uses a particular tool," Nuan said. "Sometimes people spend more time arguing about AI than creating art."
Conversely, a second-year digital arts student at Sripatum University expressed strong reservations. She supports using AI for research and visual references but opposes artwork generated entirely by machine learning. She added that many artists fear their existing portfolios will be used without permission to train new models, highlighting a continued need for stronger creator protections.
Why this matters for creatives
The debate over artificial intelligence in the arts is no longer theoretical. For working professionals, the immediate challenge is defining personal boundaries around Generative Art and intellectual property. While some peers use these systems for administrative planning, others reject them entirely to protect their unique style. Understanding where your colleagues draw the line helps you establish your own ethical and operational standards for AI for Creatives.
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