Human Creativity Persists in the Age of AI

Key Takeaway

The key takeaway is that human creativity and artistic expression persist even in the age of generative AI. While AI models can produce outputs that may seem creative, they lack the deeper emotional meaning and communicative purpose behind truly human-created art.

Summary

Before AI image generators, illustrator Michele Rosenthal made a career out of commercial illustration work. But many clients have now turned to AI alternatives, drying up jobs.
Lawsuits have been filed alleging AI models infringe on copyrights by training on large amounts of text and images without permission. The legal issues remain unsettled.
AI models like ChatGPT cannot truly "create" anything new - they can only recombine elements from their training data. Their capabilities are limited by what they are trained on.
In contrast, human creativity stems from personal experiences and the urge to symbolically communicate inner emotions. Art is meant to forge empathic connections.
Artists say AI lacks the intentionality, meaning, and "soul" behind human-made art. The creative process itself is part of the art.
Some experts see AI generators as tools that, with the right intentions, could enhance instead of restrict creativity. But concerns remain about impacts on artistic careers.
Human creativity has persisted throughout history and will continue regardless of AI technology. The question is the extent to which AI affects professional artists and their trade.