AI = Artificial Intelligence
As a librarian, performer, and art administrator who loves technology, I have always been fascinated by the possibilities that emerge when these fields intersect. In fact, I have a record of embracing new technologies in my life. I was one of the people who designed the first websites using Adobe’s Flash and the first hypermedia application for the Venezuelan oil and gas company’s Technical Information Centre in the early 1990s. I also developed a multimedia encyclopedia for Kuwait as a final project for my Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 1995. I also developed the electronic library for an oil and gas company in Calgary in the mid-2000s. I developed those applications with top-of-edge technology at the time.
I have embraced new technologies and explored their potential to enhance human creativity and collaboration. So when I heard about the use of AI in art, I was immediately intrigued. Could this cutting-edge technology really be used to create works of art that were both beautiful and meaningful?
Carnaval of Barranquilla character by Mariela Parra and created with AI technology, 2023.
As I began to explore the topic further, I realized that AI had the potential to be a powerful tool for artists. By using AI to analyze vast amounts of data, identify patterns, and generate ideas, artists could break through creative blocks and discover new forms of inspiration. And by collaborating with AI, artists could combine their own unique perspectives and skills with the computational power of machines, creating works that were truly one-of-a-kind.
Of course, I also understood that there were concerns about the use of AI in art. It raises interesting questions around copyright ownership and authorship. Some argue that the copyright should belong to the person or organization that created or trained the AI system, as they played a significant role in the creation of the work. Others argue that the AI system itself should be considered the author and owner of the copyright, as it was the one that generated the work autonomously. The question of copyright ownership in AI-generated art is still evolving, and there is no clear consensus on how to address this issue.
Latin American Dancer painting by Mariela Parra and created with AI technology, 2023.Some people are also worried that it could lead to a homogenization of artistic styles, or that it could be used to create art that was purely commercial and lacked any real meaning or value.
I believe that these concerns can be addressed through thoughtful and responsible use of AI in art. By ensuring that AI is used as a tool to enhance human creativity and not as a replacement for it, we can unlock new forms of expression and push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of art.
In the end, what inspired me to try AI in art was my passion for exploring the potential of technology to transform the way we create and experience art. By leveraging the power of AI, I hope to create works that are both technically innovative and emotionally resonant and to contribute to a growing conversation about the role of technology in shaping our creative future.