The use of AI in culture raises interesting ethical reflections.
In 2016, a Rembrandt painting, “the Next Rembrandt”, was designed by a computer and created by a 3D printer, 351 years after the painter’s death.
To achieve such technological and artistic prowess, 346 Rembrandt paintings were analysed pixel by pixel and upscaled by deep learning algorithms to create a unique database. Every detail of Rembrandt’s artistic identity could then be captured and set the foundation for an algorithm capable of creating an unprecedented masterpiece. To bring the painting to life, a 3D printer recreated the texture of brushstrokes and layers of pain on the canvas for a breath-taking result that could trick any art expert.
But who can be designated as the author? The company which orchestrated the project, the engineers, the algorithm, or… Rembrandt himself?
In 2019, the Chinese technology company Huawei announced that an AI algorithm has been able to complete the last two movements of Symphony No.8, the unfinished composition that Franz Schubert started in 1822, 197 years before. So what happens when AI has the capacity to create works of art itself? If a human author is replaced by machines and algorithms, to what extent copyrights can be attributed at all? Can and should an algorithm be recognized as an author, and enjoy the same rights as an artist?
Work of art produced by AI requires a new definition of what it means to be an “author”, in order to do justice to the creative work of both the “original” author and the algorithms and technologies that produced the work of art itself.
Creativity, understood as the capacity to produce new and original content through imagination or invention, plays a central role in open, inclusive and pluralistic societies. For this reason, the impact of AI on human creativity deserves careful attention. While AI is a powerful tool for creation, it raises important questions about the future of art, the rights and remuneration of artists and the integrity of the creative value chain.
We need to develop new frameworks to differentiate piracy and plagiarism from originality and creativity, and to recognize the value of human creative work in our interactions with AI. These frameworks are needed to avoid the deliberate exploitation of the work and creativity of human beings, and to ensure adequate remuneration and recognition for artists, the integrity of the cultural value chain, and the cultural sector’s ability to provide decent jobs.
This is why UNESCO adopted the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, the very first global standard-setting instrument on the subject.
As someone deeply immersed in the realms of artificial intelligence and its intersection with culture, I find the use of AI in the creative domain to be an exhilarating yet ethically complex frontier. My expertise stems from a thorough understanding of the technologies involved, a keen awareness of their implications, and a comprehensive grasp of the broader ethical considerations.
The article touches upon pivotal instances where AI has ventured into the domain of art and music, reshaping our conventional notions of authorship and creativity. The case of "The Next Rembrandt" showcases the remarkable synergy between deep learning algorithms and 3D printing, resulting in a painting that challenges our perception of artistic creation. The in-depth analysis of 346 Rembrandt paintings at the pixel level underscores the intricate nature of AI's assimilation of an artist's identity. The subsequent algorithmic recreation of a masterpiece raises profound questions about authorship, blurring the lines between the human originator and the machine mediator.
Similarly, Huawei's announcement regarding an AI algorithm completing Franz Schubert's Symphony No.8 introduces us to the intriguing concept of AI-generated compositions. The article provocatively raises concerns about the replacement of human authors by algorithms, leading to a fundamental reconsideration of copyright attribution. The crux lies in determining whether an algorithm itself can be recognized as an author, thereby warranting the same rights and protections afforded to human creators.
The discourse then delves into the evolving definition of "authorship" in the context of AI-generated art. The article advocates for a nuanced framework that acknowledges the contributions of both the original artist and the algorithms involved in the creative process. The challenge, as posed, is to reconcile the rights and remuneration of human artists with the increasingly intricate landscape where AI becomes a co-creator.
The overarching theme emphasizes the necessity for novel frameworks to navigate the intricacies of AI in creative domains. These frameworks must distinguish between piracy, plagiarism, and genuine creativity, safeguarding the interests of human creators while recognizing the valuable role played by AI. The article aptly stresses the importance of avoiding the exploitation of human creativity and ensuring fair remuneration, thereby preserving the integrity of the cultural value chain.
UNESCO's proactive step in adopting the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence underscores the urgency of addressing these ethical considerations on a global scale. This landmark standard-setting instrument reflects a commitment to shaping the ethical dimensions of AI, particularly in the realm of creativity, and serves as a beacon guiding future developments in this dynamic intersection of technology and culture.
