This week, I began to reflect on how much I’ve broadened my use of AI thanks to this studio. With this class, I’ve considered not only how my peers are utilising AI but also how I can expand my skills. I’ve learned to take full advantage of a wide array of AI tools that I hadn’t fully explored before. For example, I never realised I could generate AI images simply by chatting with ChatGPT, but thanks to the information and posts from AI-focused subreddits I’ve followed, I became more familiar with how AI works and discovered different ways to create more AI-generated content. Even though some tools I’ve explored, like ChatGPT’s image generation, aren’t something I would use regularly, others, like Runway or Leonardo.Ai, became more integrated into my creative process.

At first, I didn’t think I would use generative AI tools outside of this studio, but I actually found myself using Leonardo.Ai for another class. It became an alternative to sourcing visuals from stock websites or Pinterest for assignments and presentations. I was able to tailor and personalise my designs to not only the content and subject of the presentation but also to reflect my own personal style. This was a shift for me because I usually turn to platforms like Pinterest to find images that match my aesthetic, but using AI gave me the ability to create something entirely my own. I also found the process more efficient and productive. For example, I experimented with different styles, such as retrofuturism and collages, both of which are visually appealing to me. The ability to create designs that I would typically spend hours finding online was not only satisfying but also gave me a newfound sense of pride in my work.

Reflecting on McLoughlin’s (2024: 5) question about the process of coming to terms with AI art—whether AI is merely a tool or if it ‘performs the same kind of artistic work as the photographer and painter’—has led me to consider how I previously and currently view AI in my own creative practices. This reflection was particularly interesting because I’ve struggled with accepting AI-generated art as my own in the past. I used to feel more connected to designs and media I found on platforms like Pinterest, believing they more accurately reflected my taste and personal selection. However, I’ve now developed an appreciation for AI-generated visuals, realising that I’m the one prompting the images and guiding the creative process. This shift in mindset has allowed me to see these designs as a true reflection of my ideas and style, even though they aren’t created entirely by hand. I’ve also found myself playing with AI-generated content in ways that I never thought I would, just out of curiosity. For example, I’ve started generating vintage fruit-packing posters—something that reminds me of home and my love for collecting them from flea markets back in Pasadena’s Rose Bowl Flea Market. Being able to create something that ties into that nostalgia was really exciting and made me feel more connected to the creative output. It was fascinating to see how AI could help me replicate something so personal to me.

Overall, this studio has opened my eyes to how AI can be a powerful tool for creative expression. I’m excited to see how my use of AI will continue to evolve as I explore its potential, not only in this class but also in other areas of my creative work.

 

References

McLoughlin J (2024) The work of art in the age of artificial intelligibility. AI & Society. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-023-01845-4