Appreciating AI in art: Lessons from photography and music

The emergence of photography in the 19th century was a pivotal moment in art. Initially dismissed by the art world, photography took nearly a century to be recognized as an art form.

This delay mirrors the skepticism and resistance new technologies often face in artistic circles. Yet, history shows that such innovations can fundamentally reshape artistic expression.

Today, as Generative AI (GenAI) tools like Midjourney and Udio begin to disrupt art and music, we find ourselves at a similar crossroads. Could AI be the next evolution in art?

Before photography, art movements strived for realism. The works of Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci are renowned for their meticulous attention to detail and lifelike representations. These artists sought to capture the world as accurately as possible, almost as if they were painting photographs before the term existed.

However, the advent of photography changed this paradigm. With the camera's ability to capture reality effortlessly, artists began to explore other realms of expression. Movements like Impressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism emerged, led by artists such as Salvador Dalí and Pablo Picasso, who surrendered the pursuit of realism to photography. Instead, they delved into abstraction, emotion, and the imaginative, expanding the boundaries of what art could be.

Similarly, musicians have long understood that their art is rooted in patterns. The 88 keys of a piano and the finite number of major and minor chords form the foundation upon which an infinite array of compositions can be built.

This structured yet limitless potential is what makes music so profoundly expressive and diverse. Despite the constraints of musical theory, composers have continuously found ways to innovate and create new sounds, proving that the essence of art lies in the artist's creativity rather than the tools they use.

Today, GenAI tools like Midjourney and Udio are challenging our perceptions of art and music. These technologies can generate visual and auditory works based on patterns and prompts provided by users.

This raises a contentious question: Is "prompting" an art form in itself? Have we, through AI, discovered the equivalent of the piano keys and chords that allow us to compose visual masterpieces from patterns?

The case of photography offers a valuable lesson here. Initially, photography was seen merely as a mechanical process, devoid of the human touch that defined traditional art forms. However, as photographers began to experiment with composition, lighting, and subject matter, it became clear that the artist's vision and creativity played a crucial role. Photography evolved into a respected art form, with its own unique aesthetic and expressive capabilities.

Similarly, if we view AI as a tool akin to the camera or the piano, we can start to see its potential for artistic innovation. AI-generated art, guided by human prompts, can be seen as a collaborative process between the artist and the machine. The tool provides the means, but the artist's vision and creativity dictate the outcome. Just as the camera did not replace traditional painting but expanded the possibilities of visual art, AI has the potential to enrich and diversify artistic expression. (See Figure 1 above.)

The embrace of AI in art may follow a similar trajectory to that of photography and music. Initially met with skepticism, it will gradually gain acceptance as artists and audiences recognize the unique contributions it can make. As AI becomes more integrated into the creative process, the distinction between the tool and the artist will become clearer. The tool facilitates creation, but it is the artist who infuses it with meaning, emotion, and personal vision.

The lessons from photography and music teach us that technological advancements can transform art in profound ways. GenAI tools, like their predecessors, have the potential to revolutionize artistic expression, offering new avenues for creativity. While the debate over the role of AI in art continues, one thing is certain: the boundaries of what we consider art will continue to expand, shaped by the innovative spirit of artists and the tools they embrace.

Dominic Ligot is the founder, CEO and CTO of CirroLytix, a social impact AI company. He also serves as the head of AI and Research at the IT and BPM Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), and the Philippines' representative to the Expert Advisory Panel on the International Scientific Report on Advanced AI Safety.