We can notice the rapid development of AI technology in numerous spheres of life, helping us with various things, for example, find a good restaurant nearby, or take that perfect picture. But what can we say is the limit of these systems? How intelligent is artificial intelligence? One of the things that is said most often is that machines are not capable of being creative. In other words, computers are not able to create art. However, is that entirely true? Have we created an AI that is intelligent enough to express itself artistically?
The origins of AI
The very idea behind artificial intelligence is not new; in fact, it dates back to classical philosophers, who tried to explain how the human brain works by comparing it with the work of mechanical elements. However, the technology of that time could not provide an answer to those claims, until the first programmable computer was invented. From the 1950s, people started working on the idea of creating a thinking machine, and this idea of a thinking box affected the teachings of other sciences. However, the technology of the time was still not sufficient to withstand such a demanding program, and AI did not develop significantly until the beginning of the twenty-first century. Powerful computers were now capable of processing large amounts of data, which led to the improvement of AI. Today, the AI market is roughly worth 8 billion dollars, and people all around the world are more interested than ever in its development and successful application in all spheres of life.
AI creating art
One of the key definitions of art is that it should have some sort of aesthetic appeal to the people who watch or listen to it. In that sense, there is no limitation as to why AI cannot create art. However, there are some requirements that an AI, as well as any artist, needs to meet:
Evolving: AI needs to be able to perfect its skills, as well as to adapt the style to new information and contexts.
Self-evaluation: Any artist needs to objectively judge his/her own work, and apply some kind of criteria to it, in order to progress with that particular piece of art.
Context: Almost all art critics will argue that real art is impossible to make without some kind of social context; therefore, an AI that seeks to create art needs to be well-informed of the situation in society, in order to draw inspiration for art.
What is the outcome?
Creating true, meaningful art is still something that only humans can do. However, we have witnessed great improvements in the ability of artificial intelligence to create some remarkable pieces of art, whether it is a painting or a waltz. We should not be afraid of their potential to do this, but rather embrace it and try to learn from one another, in order for both humans and machines to become better.
