Dear Editor,

Artificial intelligence (AI) has found its way into the realm of the arts, from creating music and visual art to helping curators and art historians analyse and categorise works of art.

While there are concerns about the role of AI in the arts, including the potential for it to replace human creativity and the danger of perpetuating biases in algorithmic decision-making, there are also many exciting possibilities for AI in the arts. For example, AI-generated art can push the boundaries of what is possible, creating new forms and styles that would be difficult or impossible for humans to create.

Additionally, AI can analyse large art data sets and literature, identifying patterns and connections that may have gone unnoticed. Integrating the arts and AI may present an opportunity that culminates insights, expands understanding of art history, and helps inform the creation of new works of art. As AI continues to develop and evolve, its role in the arts will likely expand and change in ways we cannot yet imagine.

Let us go further, AI is not the coming of Star Trek or Star Wars in our society. The basic calculator, the remote for a car alarm, facial recognition on a phone, voice texting, e-mail, spam filtering, and social media applications are all daily AI.

The arts are inherently subjective. This subjectivity makes the arts diverse and allows for a wide range of artistic expression. It also means there is no right or wrong way to create or interpret art. Each artiste brings his or her own unique perspective and experiences reflected in his/her work. This subjectivity can also be challenging as it encourages conversations about the value and meaning of different literature and performances. However, it ultimately allows for a rich and complex artistic landscape that can inspire people.

Engaging with the arts can help develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence, which can be applied to decision-making in all areas of life. For example, analysing a painting or a piece of music requires careful observation and interpretation, skills that can be transferred to analysing complex problems in other fields.

Additionally, the arts often explore complex and nuanced topics, such as social justice or environmental issues, prompting individuals to think deeply and critically about these issues and their values and beliefs. By incorporating the arts into decision-making processes, individuals can gain a well-rounded perspective and make more informed and thoughtful decisions.

AI in the arts is an objective platform that pretends to be subjective. Practitioners of the arts should take a balanced approach to addressing the inescapable development of AI.

Dr Oniel Tobias

onieltobias@gmail.com