AI Art is Art & AI Artists are Artists: A Definitive Case
Introduction
Is AI-generated art real art? Are AI artists real artists? These questions dominate debates about creativity in the age of artificial intelligence. But at their core, these arguments stem from a deeper discussion: What is art, and who qualifies as an artist?
In this article, I’ll demonstrate not only that AI art is undeniably art, but also that AI artists are real artists—meeting the same fundamental criteria as painters, photographers, and composers throughout history.
1. Defining Art & Artists
Before making the case, we must establish clear definitions.
1.1 What is an Artist?
The Cambridge Dictionary defines an artist as:
“Someone who creates things with great skill and imagination.”
(Cambridge Dictionary)
Similarly, Merriam-Webster defines an artist as:
“A person who creates art (such as painting, sculpture, music, or writing) using conscious skill and creative imagination.”
(Merriam-Webster)
These definitions establish two key criteria for being an artist:
- Creativity (Imagination) – The ability to generate new and meaningful ideas.
- Skill (Mastery of a Medium) – The ability to use tools effectively to express those ideas.
1.2 What is Art?
Cambridge defines art as:
“The making of objects, images, music, etc. that are beautiful or that express feelings.”
(Cambridge Dictionary)
Merriam-Webster refines this further:
“The conscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects.”
(Merriam-Webster)
From this, we can summarise:
- Art requires skill and creativity.
- Art expresses emotions, concepts, or beauty.
- Art can be created using various tools.
By these definitions, AI-generated art is art, and AI artists are artists—as long as human intention, creativity, and skill are involved.
2. The Creative Process in AI Art
Some critics argue that AI artists merely “type words into a box” and let the machine do the work. But this misrepresents betray a lack of understanding of the creative process.
2.1 The Role of Creativity in AI Art
Creativity is about generating original and unusual ideas. AI artists use imagination and conceptual thinking to craft prompts, refine outputs, and iterate on designs.
For example, let’s take this simple AI-generated prompt:
“A photo of an old farmer holding a tiny blue dragon, sitting on a bench in the mountains, concept art.”
Using AI tools like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DALL·E, the results vary wildly depending on:
- Composition choices
- Lighting & style parameters
- Negative prompts (what to avoid)
- Fine-tuning elements using ControlNet, inpainting, or hand edits
These artistic decisions are akin to a photographer adjusting camera settings or a painter choosing a colour palette—both require skill and vision.
2.2 AI Art as a Skill-Based Medium
Some claim AI art lacks skill because “the computer does the work.” But if we apply this logic, then:
- Photographers aren’t artists because the camera does the work.
- Digital painters aren’t artists because Photoshop does the work.
- Music producers aren’t artists because their DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) does the work.
Clearly, this is flawed reasoning. AI art demands mastery of tools, just like any other medium.
Here are some technical skills that AI artists develop:
| Skill | Application in AI Art |
|---|---|
| Prompt engineering | Crafting precise text prompts for desired outcomes |
| Image composition | Controlling framing, perspective, and depth |
| Lighting & colour theory | Adjusting mood, contrast, and aesthetic appeal |
| Post-processing | Refining AI outputs using Photoshop/GIMP |
| ControlNet & inpainting | Manually adjusting elements for accuracy |
| Fine-tuning AI models | Training custom AI models for specific styles |
These skills require practice and expertise—just like photography, painting, or digital illustration.
3. AI Art & Originality
Another common argument is that AI-generated works aren’t original because AI is trained on existing images.
3.1 AI Art is Not Just Copying
AI models do not copy images—they generate new compositions based on learned styles, much like how a human artist studies past masters.
Consider Picasso’s Cubism or Van Gogh’s Post-Impressionism—both were inspired by prior art movements, yet created something new. AI models similarly synthesize styles to produce original, never-before-seen images.
Example:
- A Monet-inspired AI painting doesn’t mean the AI copied Monet.
- Just as a modern painter may emulate impressionism without copying a single Monet painting.
3.2 Proof of Originality
Using reverse image search tools like Google Lens, AI artists can verify that their creations are unique. Unlike collage-based generative art, AI images do not exist in their generated form elsewhere.
This originality is key to creativity—whether an artist uses a brush, a camera, or AI.
4. Addressing the "Effort Fallacy"
Some critics argue that AI art “isn’t real art” because it’s easier or faster than traditional painting. But effort is not a requirement for artistic validity.
Consider:
- Photography is faster than oil painting.
- Digital illustration has an “undo” button, unlike physical painting.
- Music producers use software to create compositions in hours instead of weeks.
These advancements don’t invalidate photography, digital art, or music production. Likewise, the speed of AI art doesn’t make it less legitimate—only more accessible.
5. The Evolution of Artistic Tools
Throughout history, new tools have expanded what it means to be an artist.
| Era | Technological Innovation | Controversy? |
|---|---|---|
| 15th Century | Oil Paints | “Too easy compared to tempera painting.” |
| 19th Century | Photography | “Not real art—it’s mechanical.” |
| 20th Century | Digital Art | “Not real art—it’s just Photoshop.” |
| 21st Century | AI Art | “Not real art—it’s just a computer.” |
Each time, critics resisted change, only to see these mediums embraced as legitimate forms of artistic expression. AI art is simply the next evolution.
6. Conclusion: AI Art is Art, AI Artists are Artists
Let’s revisit our definitions:
✅ AI-generated works involve skill and creativity → It qualifies as art.
✅ AI artists make intentional, imaginative choices → They qualify as artists.
The only way to exclude AI artists is to narrow the definition of art to exclude all modern advancements—something history has proven to be an unsustainable stance.
Final Thought:
If an artist using Photoshop is an artist,
If a photographer using a camera is an artist,
Then an AI artist using AI tools is also an artist.
