There’s something about museums that I love. I’m always captivated by art, which seems to provide me with glimpses of the souls of the artists themselves. As a lawyer with a brain wired for logic, my art skills, unfortunately, don’t go beyond Amazon paint-by-numbers kits.
So, as I stand before paintings, sculptures, and installations - I always marvel at how humans bare their souls through art. Imagine the months, maybe years, of toil poured into a single piece. Layers of thought, emotion, and personal experience woven into every stroke and detail.
That’s why the rise of AI-generated art feels both fascinating and unsettling. When I read that Sotheby’s would auction “AI God,” an AI-generated portrait of Alan Turing, for at least $120,000, I felt a mix of curiosity and unease.
Can we call AI creations “original” if they lack a human soul, struggle, or story?
This question goes beyond the art world; it impacts anyone whose work depends on creativity, originality, and intellectual property.
Why This Matters to Us
For us humans, originality and ownership provide us with our identities and sense of purpose. So, as generative AI reshapes what we call “new” or “creative,” these values are at risk.
1. Competitive Edge:
In this AI-driven world, originality is what sets us apart. New ideas, fresh designs, innovative products - they’re what keep brands relevant. AI can be an incredible assistant, sparking ideas and helping with brainstorming. But when AI art is created without human insight, can we call it original?
2. Brand Identity & Trust:
Consumers connect with brands that feel personal, real, and unique. AI-generated content risks losing the touch that builds customer trust and loyalty. Originality signals that a brand respects creative integrity - something AI alone can’t replicate.
3. Ethics & Intellectual Property:
Originality isn’t just a creative asset; it’s a legal one. Copyright law protects human creators. When AI repurposes massive datasets - often built on the work of uncompensated creators - questions arise about creativity and respect for ownership. If we start calling AI work “original,” we risk eroding the copyright protections that uphold creators’ livelihoods and legacies.
The AI Debate: Is AI-Generated Art Truly Original?
AI’s creations can be visually impressive. AI can spark ideas and assist the creative process. But when AI operates solo, creating without human transformation or insight, is that output truly original - or just derivative?
After competing with ChatGPT, Curtis Sittenfeld observed that AI-produced writing, while technically competent, lacks the “press of a soul” that makes human creativity unique.
So here’s the critical question: If we call AI-generated content “original,” are we undervaluing the human intent, emotion, and experience that drive authentic creation?
Art isn’t just about combining elements; it’s about what those combinations mean to the creator - and the viewer.
Why Some of Us Get This Wrong
It’s tempting to see AI as just another creative tool, and it can be. However, that view risks overlooking what makes human work unique and legally protected. AI can mimic and remix, but without personal investment and respect for creative rights, it lacks the value of true originality.
Brain Booster: Synthetic Creativity
Synthetic Creativity is AI-driven “creativity” that blends and reconfigures content without original intent or experience. Unlike human creativity, it relies on algorithms to mimic originality. Is synthetic creativity truly creative - or just sophisticated imitation?
Your Turn: Can AI Be an Artist?
AI’s rise challenges our ideas of creativity, originality, and ownership - of what it means to be truly human. Do you see AI as a creative partner or a challenge to originality and ownership?
Share and let us know your thoughts. Or, if there’s any AI ethics topic you want us to cover, we’d love to hear from you!
Till then, keep learning and keep mastering AI 4 Good!
Warmly,
Josephine and the Skills4Good AI Team
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