Projection of Self: How Digital Artists Value Generative AI
Faculty Sponsor(s)
Leslie Walker
Subject Area
Anthropology
Description
Developing technologies are changing how we think about, interact with, and understand each other. Currently, the exponential growth of generative AI technologies has captured the attention of many people. The relatively cheap price and online accessibility, has allowed these technologies to easily enter into the hands of many. With these tools, people can create high-res digital images with minimal effort or expense. This new accessibility is raising concerns for artists, as the new AI tools appear to be a potential threat for their domain of expertise. This paper endeavors to explore the relationship between digital artists and generative AI tools to understand how digital artists are characterizing the value of these AI tools. Through interviews with nine artists and two audience members, it was found that AI’s minimization of the making process prevents an artist’s essential integration of the self into their work. Although AI was not valued as an artistic medium, many expressed that AI could have some value as a brainstorming tool instead. Through these findings, new insight is provided into the ongoing conversation regarding how developing technologies can impact communities of people.
Recommended Citation
Hodgson, Lauren, "Projection of Self: How Digital Artists Value Generative AI" (2024). Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement. Event. Submission 23.
https://digitalcommons.linfield.edu/symposium/2024/all/23
Projection of Self: How Digital Artists Value Generative AI
Developing technologies are changing how we think about, interact with, and understand each other. Currently, the exponential growth of generative AI technologies has captured the attention of many people. The relatively cheap price and online accessibility, has allowed these technologies to easily enter into the hands of many. With these tools, people can create high-res digital images with minimal effort or expense. This new accessibility is raising concerns for artists, as the new AI tools appear to be a potential threat for their domain of expertise. This paper endeavors to explore the relationship between digital artists and generative AI tools to understand how digital artists are characterizing the value of these AI tools. Through interviews with nine artists and two audience members, it was found that AI’s minimization of the making process prevents an artist’s essential integration of the self into their work. Although AI was not valued as an artistic medium, many expressed that AI could have some value as a brainstorming tool instead. Through these findings, new insight is provided into the ongoing conversation regarding how developing technologies can impact communities of people.
