Artists and AI: Assessing the threat of AI to the creative

A video essay by Juanita Ebbs – s3790353

Featuring Nina Rajcic and Jon McCormack

Generative AI seems to be everywhere. Your computer can now paint in the style of Van Gough, compose epic scores, edit videos. In seconds, computers can write code, essays, poems, and texts to your Mum. AI seems to be rapidly outperforming people. This is creating some legitimate anxiety for job security across all industries. The creative arts has been generally understood to be an exploration of the human condition – but even this industry is under threat. Will expressive existentialism become a job for the algorithm? Will we have to accept that ChatGPT as the next literary great? What does generative AI mean for artists and their job security? What does it mean for the future of art? If we can understand that art is a vital component of human culture, what then does it mean for the future of humanity itself? This video explainer is an AI 101 for those in the creative industries who have become alarmed in the wake of the recent rise of generative AI.

—————

The creation of this video was hugely informative. Of course, in my research and in my conversations with Nina and Jon I learned a wealth knowledge in regards to AI, only some of which made it into the final video: how it works, it’s pitfalls, how it’s being utilised, and how it could be utilised. I gained new perspectives on how we should value art, and more importantly, how we might value art making. I learned about how artists are adapting to this technology, about co-creation, and about the paperclip theory.

I also learned that journalism is extremely hard. This is more or less a journalistic assignment, and in that aspect I can improve. However, it refined my skills as a filmmaker and artist in existential and practical ways. Though much was left on the cutting room floor, I’m extremely proud of the results.