Can AI make art?

Short answer; No, but a person can make art (even quite good art) with AI, just as a few select people can do with a paintbrush or Photoshop. But perhaps AI in art is to be seen more like a musical instrument rather than a ‘tool’, as this long article (converted from a talk) suggests. Another take comes from cartoonist Matthew Inmann, who touches upon some of the same themes and dilemmas, and, funnily enough, also uses the metaphor of music at one point. But he likens AI prompting ‘art’ to pressing the ‘demo’ button on a cheap Casio music keyboard. Both are fairly long, but worth a read if you have time and interest, and both go beyond all the predictable knee-jerk reactions to AI ‘art’ and AI versus Art.

As mentioned earlier, I actively hate 99.9% of AI ‘art’ and visual slop that the net is so hopelessly full of now. But that still leaves 0.1%, and there are some signs of a new genre emerging. Here is a selection of AI-based Instagram accounts that I enjoy: Is it art? You decide..

DDR Mondbasis – Nostalgic German counterfactual reports from the future; love it!
Niceauties – One of the grand old accounts, surreal but with a clear theme and distinct style.
The Strangest Fleamarket – Visually interesting, bizarre creatures and characters.
Moss Carpet – It’s a vibe… Folksy and slightly unnerving tableaus from elsewhere.
Voidstomper – Enter at own risk, bizarre and scary
Aim not here – ‘Excerpts from interdimensional journeys powered by the human mind’

Bonus: Also check out Fellowship a place with many AI-positive artists to explore.