A.I. vs Original Thought / by John Wineberg

A.I. is here. I actually use it to proof read these blogs. It can be a wonderful tool. I believe it can also create issues. I’ve been battling with the idea of simplicity, using A.I. to make my life easier. There is so much it can do. The problem is that there is so much it can do! Am I giving up control? Am I shortchanging you, the reader? Do I just go along with the suggestions it makes?

As an artist, the idea of creativity is key to who I am. For me creativity starts in my brain, that is what makes it my art. If I ask A.I. to come up with ideas for me, is that the same thing? Is it still my art? I don’t have the answer. I know that I can use it as a tool to expand on my art. Coming up with an idea is mine and mine alone. I have to ask A.I. a question before it responds. Is that question enough for the starting point of my art? Does the art then belong to the bot that spurs it on, or is it still mine because I asked the original question and then ran with the answer or response?

We will all be grappling with the above over the years to come. New technology creates new questions. It will be up to all of us to determine what the answers are and how we move forward. I was watching an interview done many years back. Prince was talking about the internet and computers. “It’s cool to get on the computer, but don’t let the computer get on you.” (Prince, Link). I want to believe that my art is my own original thought or creation. I hope that is, and continues to be, true!