Artificial intelligence has become ubiquitous in our daily lives. It’s in our phones, our appliances, and even in some of our cars. But did you know that it’s also changing the art world? That’s right, AI is being used to create art, and it’s not just abstract. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the AI art platforms and marketplaces that are changing the way we think about art.
First, let’s define what we mean by AI art. Essentially, it’s art that has been created (at least in part) using artificial intelligence. This could mean that the artist used a software program that generates images or music based on certain parameters, or it could mean that the artist used a machine learning algorithm to analyze existing art and create something new based on that analysis.
One of the most well-known examples of AI art is “The Next Rembrandt,” a project by advertising agency J. Walter Thompson Amsterdam, which used machine learning algorithms to create a new portrait in the style of the famous Dutch painter. The project analyzed Rembrandt’s paintings to determine what made them unique, and then created a new painting that incorporated those elements. The result was a portrait that looked like it could have been painted by Rembrandt himself.
But you don’t have to be a big advertising agency to create AI art. There are plenty of platforms and marketplaces that allow artists and non-artists alike to experiment with AI and create their own works of art.
One of the most popular platforms is called Artbreeder. Developed by artist and software developer Joel Simon, Artbreeder is a web-based tool that allows users to create images using a combination of genetic algorithms and machine learning. Users start by selecting an image from a database of existing images (which include photos of real people, landscapes, and abstract shapes), and then tweak various parameters (such as color, shape, and lighting) to create something new. The software then uses machine learning algorithms to “breed” the new image with other images in the database, creating a unique and often surprising result.
Artbreeder has been used to create everything from realistic portraits to surreal landscapes. Some of the most interesting work on the platform comes from artists who use it as a starting point for their own work. For example, artist Anna Ridler used Artbreeder to create a series of “blossom portraits,” which she then printed on silk and embroidered with real cherry blossoms.
Another platform that is popular with AI artists is called Deep Dream Generator. This tool, developed by Google engineer Alexander Mordvintsev, uses a neural network to generate images based on user input. Users start by uploading an image, and then select from a list of pre-made styles (such as “surrealism” or “cyberpunk”) to apply to the image. The software then uses its neural network to generate a new image that incorporates elements of the original image and the selected style.
One of the most interesting things about Deep Dream Generator is the way that it can be used to create “dreamlike” images that are simultaneously familiar and surreal. For example, artist Alex Heath used the platform to create a series of “nightmarish” portraits that are both beautiful and unsettling.
Of course, these platforms aren’t just for artists. They’re also being used by businesses and marketers to create images and videos for advertising and social media. For example, Finnish dairy company Valio used Artbreeder to create a series of AI-generated images for a social media campaign. The images featured “butterflies” made up of various dairy products, and were designed to highlight the company’s commitment to sustainability.
But not everyone is comfortable with the idea of AI-generated art. Some critics argue that it’s just a gimmick, and that true art can only be created by human hands. Others worry that AI art could lead to a world in which creativity is outsourced to machines, and that the human element of art (the emotion, the passion, the imperfections) could be lost.
It’s true that AI-generated art is never going to replace traditional art forms like painting, sculpture, and photography. But that doesn’t mean it’s not worth exploring. AI art platforms and marketplaces allow us to experiment with new forms of creativity, to push the boundaries of what we consider “art,” and to create something truly unique.
In the end, AI-generated art is just another tool in the artist’s toolbox. Whether it’s used to create something wholly new or to enhance existing art, it has the potential to change the way we think about creativity and inspiration. And that’s a pretty exciting prospect.