Artists are often among the earliest adopters of new technology, and generative artificial intelligence is no exception. However, artists have also been among the most vocal critics of recent developments in genAI technologies. Art Against AI (ARTvsAI) aims to chart, contextualize, and advance the critique of AI within contemporary art. In doing so, ARTvsAI investigates how art can address the most urgent ethical problems presented by AI technologies going forward.
ARTvsAI employs a methodology that brings fine art and curatorial practice together with scholarly research in art history and digital humanities. Scholarly research provides theoretical and historical context and knowledge, whereas practice-based research provides an understanding of processes and applications of AI, which can only be gained through making/doing.
ARTvsAI is structured around four urgent themes of critique and ethical debate for generative AI:
1. environmental impact
2. effect on labor
3. perpetuation of bias and stereotype
4. issues of trust and authenticity