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Opinion / Column

WALLACEBURG ARTS: Assessing the impact of AI

on artists
Dan White
Published Apr 19, 2023 • Last Updated Apr 19, 2023 • 5 minute read

While AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we create and consume art, it
also poses several challenges for artists. The negative impact of AI on artists is a
complex issue, and one that requires closer examination.

The first and most obvious negative impact of AI on artists is the fear of job
displacement. As AI algorithms become more advanced, they can perform tasks
that were previously done by humans, such as creating art. This raises the
question of whether AI will eventually replace human artists altogether.

While it is true that AI can generate art, it is important to note that AI

Wallaceburg arts columnist used an AI generator to make this image by typing in "Brown dog
playing tuba in the spotlight on stage." jpg, WC, apsmc algorithms are not creative in the same way that humans are. AI algorithms can
only create art based on the data they are given, whereas human artists can draw
I have been hearing a lot about artificial intelligence, or AI, lately and I thought
on their imagination and personal experiences to create something truly unique.
it would be an engaging topic to write about as it pertains to arts and the impact
Therefore, it is unlikely that AI will completely replace human artists.
of AI on artists.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
STORY CONTINUES BELOW

However, the fear of job displacement is still a valid concern for many artists,
From our Network:
particularly those working in fields that are more susceptible to automation. For
example, graphic designers who create logos or other repetitive designs may find
themselves competing with AI algorithms that can create similar designs faster
and more efficiently.
Start your engines! Driving.ca is Canada's
leading destination for the latest Another negative impact of AI on artists is the potential for copyright
automotive news, reviews, photos and infringement. AI algorithms can generate images, music and other creative
video. works that are similar to existing works. This raises the question of who owns

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the copyright to these works, particularly if the AI algorithm was trained on
existing copyrighted material.
For example, if an AI algorithm generates a painting that is similar to a famous
painting by a well-known artist, who owns the copyright to that painting? Is it
the original artist, the AI algorithm, or the artist who created the AI algorithm?
These questions are still being debated in the legal community, and there is no
clear answer yet.
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AI algorithms can also be used to create deepfakes, which are images or videos
that have been manipulated to show something that did not actually happen.
This can be particularly harmful to artists who rely on their image or reputation
for their livelihood. For example, a deepfake video of a musician engaging in
illegal or immoral behavior could damage their reputation and harm their
career.
Finally, AI may also exacerbate existing inequalities in the art world. AI
algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on, and if the data is
biased, the AI algorithm will be biased as well. This means that if the data used
to train an AI algorithm is biased against certain groups of people, the resulting
artwork generated by the algorithm may also be biased against those groups.
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Full disclosure, the only thing created by me in this column thus far is the initial
sentence. I simply found an AI app, downloaded it for a “trial period” and gave
the following command: write a 600 word arts column on the impact of AI on
artists.
In under 10 seconds, it generated what you just read. For reference, it takes me
two to three hours to draft, contemplate, edit, research, get feedback from Joni
and re-write my column.
I had not heard much about AI other than a passing mention here and there
until this summer when Jacob said that he and his business partner at
Bluewater Stone used an AI app to create an ad for their company. I wondered
about it and then, either through coincidence, algorithms or evil lurking AI
overlords, I started seeing more and more AI info.
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I saw an ad for an app that can create instructional videos for businesses. It
looks like a person and you just type in the information you want the video to
cover, actually you can just speak to your phone or computer to get that info
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10/4/23, 10:15 AM WALLACEBURG ARTS: Assessing the impact of AI on artists | Wallaceburg Courier Press
covered. It is cheap, fast and can be adjusted to be what you want. It also puts
actors who used this to supplement their income, out of work.
Paintings in seconds are easy to do as well.
When Jacob was telling me about it, he noted that you can simply type, “write
me a Shakespearian sonnet with” the following information and in seconds you
are The Bard! I assume AI could write me a play if I gave it the facts, style and
format I wanted. Certainly, it could “compose” an original work for the
Wallaceburg Brass Quintet. All of these things will remove artists from the
equation.
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Tom Morrison, who edits this column for Postmedia, could decide a few bucks
invested on an AI app can replace Dave and me in this space. Of course, that
would lack the engaging and witty repartee seen here on a weekly basis, but it is
a choice he now has.
Deepfake is something I heard about from a reporter when I was being
interviewed as chair of the CK Arts and Culture Network. He mentioned that AI
has become so sophisticated that you can take an image and a voice sample and
create a video that looks and sounds exactly like the actual person.
This, of course, creates challenges for those who actually present the news, as
those who wish to alter truth can now make it seem very real. Recently, I heard
about a new scam targeting the elderly and using a voice sample of a loved one
to enable a criminal to sound identical to that loved one and create a distressed
plea for money.
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There are a number of reasons to be concerned about AI and its impact on arts
and artists, and far beyond that. However, it is here, it will continue to improve
its ability to mimic, it will evolve, and we can either find appropriate and good
uses, or we can stick our heads in the sand and hope those who manage and
create it are looking out for the best interests of everyone.
By the way, I asked for a 600-word column and AI only gave me 455 words. So, I
have the last laugh. Of course, I did use a computer to quickly and easily do a
word count.
Footnote: The WCB and WBQ dinner theatre still has tickets available for May
13 at 7. UAW Hall. Catered by The Black Goose. $50/person. Call Joni at (519)
627-4602
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