AI has crept into all aspects of everyday life, affecting how we create, communicate, and travel. No subject is more affected by the increasing influence of AI than the world of art.
AI-produced artworks have won contests over human-generated paintings, poetry, and designs. The Museum of Modern Art in New York has started displaying more and more AI-generated works in the same halls that honor Michaelangelo and Van Gogh.
AI art has become more accepted in the art world, but does it deserve the same attention and respect as human-generated art?
AI art has become more difficult to identify and define with the introduction of AI art apps, such as AI.art and GPT.5, according to Waterford junior and Art Honor Society member Evie Bellos. 
“I’ve seen AI basically work everywhere,” Bellos said. “Sometimes it’s hard to tell between real or AI art. I really don’t think anyone should use AI for anything, it’s damaging the environment as it takes much more energy to get a drawing from AI than simply making one yourself.”
AI art critics also lament the ethical problem that AI finished products create. According to AI art blog KontextLora, “AI tools create art from vast datasets of existing artwork, blurring traditional boundaries between human creativity and machine learning.”
In essence, AI steals ideas and expressions already introduced by human artists. If a human does this, he or she can be sued for plagiarism, but it’s difficult to sue an AI artist or machine.
“Using AI for art is essentially plagiarism because the AI is taking the style from another artist and using it as its own” Bellos said. “AI takes from algorithms online, which means the typical AI art style is just a mashup of artwork from talented artists.”
Gretchen Lally, Waterford High art teacher, agrees that AI art does not merit praise on the same level as original artistic expression from a human.
Proponents of AI art say it’s a cost-effective method for businesses and organizations. You must pay an artist or writer for a political campaign poster or for mass advertising. AI-generated posters are free to conceive and produce.
“I’ve seen artwork that is AI generated in large ad campaigns, conventions, craft fairs, and sometimes even submitted as assignments,” Lally said. “There is a fine line when it comes to AI, and the art world has not found where it lies just yet.”
Lally believes AI art lacks the passion and inspiration that is necessary for a human to create art. Throughout generations of art, human-conceived works merit the most value on the open market. Al-generated art lacks a human and personal touch. Human art creates an emotional connection and represents the values and beliefs of the era in which it was created.
“AI can be successfully used as a tool for art making but without the proper understanding, just like any art making tool, you will not have a successful art piece,” Lally said. “This goes for anything – photoshop, paints, canvases, etc.- You need to understand the design components as well as the art making process.”
AI art is not much different than placing a painting or portrait in a copy machine and reproducing it. It is not original or inspired as new work. It can be useful and cost-effective, but in the true essence of art, AI art can not match up with an original and inspirational human work of art.
