How AI Art Could Improve The Job Market

The big picture: As digital technology continues to reshape various industries, the art world is experiencing a significant transformation, with AI-generated art challenging traditional notions of creativity and potentially reshaping the job market.

Redefining art in the digital age: Jennifer Steckel Elliott of Lagom Collections proposes a broader definition of art that encompasses both traditional and digital creations, emphasizing imagination and skill as core components.

• Art is described as a form of expression that combines beauty, emotion, and often reflects our fascination with technology.
• Steckel Elliott argues that digital artists working with “ones and zeros” should be considered artists alongside those using traditional media.
• This expanded definition of art aims to recognize the value and creativity in digital artistic expressions.
• Much debate has ensued on whether AI is even capable of creating art.

The role of data and AI in the art world: As businesses increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, the art world is adapting to incorporate AI into creative processes and art appreciation.

• Steckel Elliott’s experience at IBM and Ogilvy and Mather highlighted the growing importance of data in various aspects of life and business.
• Pattern recognition in data can lead to actionable recommendations, potentially influencing artistic creation and curation.
• Lagom Collections has developed an app that utilizes AI to simplify art appreciation and creation, demonstrating the practical applications of technology in the field.

Addressing concerns and resistance: The integration of AI into the art world has faced some pushback, reminiscent of historical resistance to other technological advancements.

• Steckel Elliott draws parallels between current resistance to AI in art and past reactions to innovations like the printing press, digital cameras, and the internet.
• She emphasizes that resisting change is a natural human tendency but suggests embracing new technologies can lead to growth and innovation.
• Consumer hesitation is acknowledged as a hurdle, highlighting the need for user-friendly interfaces and education about new technologies.

Potential impact on the job market: Contrary to fears of job loss, Steckel Elliott argues that AI in art could potentially create new employment opportunities and enhance the creative workforce.

• The focus is on growing rather than reducing the skilled workforce by adding creative value to the economy.
• Investing in the foundational layer of AI art projects is seen as crucial for job creation and economic growth.
• This perspective challenges the notion that automation and AI will necessarily lead to widespread job displacement in creative fields.

Practical applications and use cases: Lagom Collections demonstrates how AI can be applied to create unique art pieces and potentially change the way we interact with physical objects.

• The company offers a service that transforms personal book collections into digital art pieces, addressing issues of space and clutter.
• This concept extends to other collectibles like brand sneakers, rare coins, and even NFTs, showcasing the versatility of AI in creating personalized art.
• The approach raises questions about the balance between digital representation and physical possession of cherished items.

Looking ahead: The evolving landscape of art and technology: As AI continues to integrate into the art world, it prompts a reevaluation of creativity, ownership, and the nature of artistic expression.

• The ongoing digital transformation of art challenges traditional perceptions and opens new avenues for artistic exploration and appreciation.
• The success of AI in art may depend on striking a balance between technological innovation and preserving the human elements that make art meaningful.
• As this field evolves, it will be crucial to monitor how AI-generated art impacts the art market, cultural perceptions, and the role of human artists in society.