Local Artists Push Back Against the Rise of AI-Generated Art
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepAI have made creating visual content accessible to anyone with a few clicks. These programs mimic artistic styles quickly and cheaply, sparking frustration among traditional artists in both visual and performing arts. Olivia Pena, a charcoal and pastel artist about to graduate as an art major, shared her perspective on this shift.
“I’ve seen it in the job market,” Pena said. “People want someone to just type prompts into an AI all day to make ads. Then why did I spend five years in art school? Just to punch prompts and waste my talent?”
True art, like Edvard Munch’s The Scream or Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss, carries emotion and depth that AI-generated pieces often fail to match. Barry Cavin, a theatre professor, explored this in his recent play Artificial Genesis, which was written entirely by ChatGPT. Audiences found the AI-generated dialogue unsettling and robotic.
“I created the play from a place of concern,” Cavin said. “It’s fascinating and scary at the same time. I wanted to see if others felt the same.” The response showed fear and unease, confirming that AI art, while faster to produce, often lacks the emotional connection people seek.
Pena expressed how AI art feels different to her. “When a piece impresses me, I think, ‘Wow, people came up with this and made it happen.’ But when it’s AI, I just feel sad. It feels lazy. Pure laziness.”
Tatum Bates, a makeup artist and actress who also performed in Artificial Genesis, has seen firsthand how AI is affecting film artists and writers. “I’ve seen scripts written by AI for movies,” she explained. “On set, people say, ‘We didn’t hire a writer, we used ChatGPT.’ That’s a real job lost for someone.”
As AI improves, distinguishing its work from human creations will only get harder. But not all artists see AI as a threat. John Loscuito, director of Wasmer Art Gallery, views AI as another tool that can expand creative possibilities.
“It’s just a tool, like any other,” Loscuito said. “Artists will evolve with it. I’m neither for it nor against it. It depends on how the artist uses it.”
AI is already helping artists with reference images, idea generation, and editing. Digital artists often use it for complex compositions, repetitive tasks, or filling backgrounds. When used responsibly, AI can speed up workflows and enhance creativity.
“If artists learn to collaborate with AI and push for ethical guidelines, we might enter a new phase where human creativity and machines create together,” Pena suggested.
For creatives looking to understand and work alongside AI tools, exploring practical courses can help strike the right balance. Resources like Complete AI Training’s courses for creatives offer hands-on guidance to integrate AI ethically and effectively.
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