This paper, the result of over a year of dedicated research, offers a compelling exploration of how generative AI intersects with art history, particularly through the lens of early 20th-century avant-garde movements. The authors draw thought-provoking parallels between historical breakthroughs in artistic expression and the disruptive potential of AI in today’s visual arts landscape.
The paper re-evaluates the artist’s role in a world where creative processes are increasingly mediated by machine learning. Through carefully selected case studies, it examines how generative AI tools are being used not only for creation but also as instruments of critique. The work thoughtfully engages with the ethical complexities that emerge when authorship, authenticity, and intention are blurred by algorithms.
This achievement reflects our commitment to fostering original research at the intersection of technology, art, and critical theory. It’s an outstanding example of how CONVERGENCE researchers are contributing to the broader discourse on AI and society, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Abstract:
The adoption of generative AI technology in visual arts echoes the transformational process initiated by early 20th-century avant-garde movements such as Constructivism and Dadaism. By utilising technological advances of their time avant-garde artists redefine the role of an artist and what could be considered as artwork. Written from the perspective of an art practitioner and researcher, this paper explores how contemporary artists working with AI continue the radical and experimental spirit that characterised early avant-garde. The re-evaluation of artist roles from sole creators to engineers-collaborators and curators in an AI-mediated creative process underscores a shift in the artistic practice. Through detailed case studies of three contemporary artists, the paper illustrates how generative AI is not only used to create artwork but also to critique technological, cultural, and societal systems. Additionally, it addresses ethical concerns such as AI bias, data commodification, and the environmental impact of AI technologies, situating contemporary generative AI practices within the broader context of art’s evolving societal role. Ultimately, the paper underscores the transformation of artistic practice in the digital age, where AI becomes both a creative tool and a subject of critical reflection.
Link to the paper: Springer