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The debate on AI-generated art raises important philosophical and semiotic questions. This article explores how technology is transforming art, questioning what truly defines art and examining ethical and environmental implications.

The discussion on what constitutes art is ancient and complex. With the advent of AI technologies, this debate has taken on new dimensions. AI enables the creation of extraordinary images with simple text commands, but can this be considered true art? To answer this question, it is useful to explore various philosophical and semiotic perspectives.

According to the German philosopher Walter Benjamin, the technical reproducibility of artworks has profoundly transformed their cultural value. In his essay "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction," Benjamin argues that the aura of the artwork is lost in mass reproduction. This concept can be applied to AI-generated creations: if production is mechanical and repeatable, where does the artwork’s aura reside?

In the context of AI-generated art, semiotics offers a valuable analytical framework. Ferdinand de Saussure, the father of modern semiotics, distinguished between the signifier (the form) and the signified (the concept). AI-created images can be considered signifiers, but their meaning might be less clear compared to works created by humans. Roland Barthes, another important semiologist, spoke of the "death of the author," where the meaning of a work resides in the reader’s interpretation rather than the author’s intent. This might suggest that AI-generated works are valid as their meaning emerges from the viewer’s interaction.

But art is not just about technique. Martin Heidegger, in his essay "The Origin of the Work of Art," argues that art reveals the truth and essence of things. Artworks generate a world and open up a space of meanings. If AI creations can open such spaces, perhaps they can be considered art.

From an ethical standpoint, the use of AI raises significant concerns. Technology can be used to create misinformation, deepfakes, and questionable content. Furthermore, the environmental impact of AI is relevant: by 2026, AI is estimated to account for about 4% of global electricity demand, equivalent to Japan’s energy consumption. Companies must develop ethical and sustainable practices for AI use.

In the field of art, these concerns are amplified by the issue of creativity. A human artist possesses sensitivity, understanding of color theory, composition, and art history that a prompt engineer can hardly match. An artist’s ability to convey emotions, tell stories, and create deep connections cannot be replicated simply through algorithms.

Art has always pushed the boundaries of human creativity. Photography, for example, initially criticized as a soulless mechanical process, forced art towards new forms such as impressionism and expressionism. Today, people continue to paint despite photography. Similarly, AI might open new creative frontiers, but the use of these technologies must be guided by solid ethics.

To address these challenges, it is important to support companies that promote open source and are transparent about their training methodology and environmental impact. Collaboration between developers and artists is crucial to ensure a thriving open-source ecosystem. ComfyUI, for example, is currently one of the most powerful tools for interacting with Stable Diffusion, but it needs improvements and greater collaboration to solve technical issues and improve the user interface.

That said, AI-generated art raises profound questions about the nature of art, creativity, and ethics. If used correctly, AI can enrich the artistic landscape, but its development and use must be guided by ethical and sustainable principles.

Highlights:

• The debate on AI-generated art involves issues of technique, creativity, and ethics.
• Semiotics and philosophical theories offer valuable perspectives for understanding these new forms of art.
• The use of AI in art raises significant ethical and environmental concerns.
• Collaboration and support for ethical companies are crucial for a responsible future of AI.