Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most influential technologies of the 21st century. In just a few years, AI has evolved at an astonishing pace, becoming almost unrecognizable compared to its earlier forms. One of the biggest criticisms of AI is its impact on creative fields such as art, writing, and music. Many creators fear that AI will replace artists entirely, raising concerns about the ethics and future of creative work. But is this fear justified? Could AI truly replace human artists, or is there potential for AI to be a beneficial tool for creatives?

The Role of AI in Art

AI has only gained mainstream prominence in the last two to three years, yet its presence has already sparked intense debate in creative communities. While it’s true that AI, when misused, can have negative consequences—such as enabling the unauthorized replication of artistic works—ethical and regulated use of AI could actually aid artists rather than replace them.
For example, one of the most well-known AI art generators, DALL·E, is widely used, with over 1.5 million daily users, according to the website Nikola Rosa. Alongside tools like MidJourney, AI-generated images have become increasingly popular. However, these tools do not contribute to the creative process as artists do; instead, they produce finished images based on pre-existing styles and datasets. While some AI-powered tools can assist with repetitive tasks, there is currently no AI capable of truly generating original creative works in the way that human artists can. In the future, AI could develop into a more helpful tool for artists—one that supports creativity rather than exploits it.

AI in Writing and Its Limitations

The field where AI has perhaps made the most impact so far is writing. AI-powered tools can generate stories, articles, and essays within seconds based on a given prompt. However, while AI can mimic writing styles, it often produces text with inconsistencies, inaccuracies, or logical gaps. At its core, AI does not “create” in the same way humans do—it only replicates patterns from the data it has been trained on.
As long as AI lacks true awareness and originality, it cannot produce genuinely new and meaningful works of art. This limitation sets human artists and writers apart from AI-generated content.

Perspectives from Creatives

Talon photographer Aiden Potter ‘25 shared his thoughts on AI’s role in creative work. When asked if AI affects his photography, he responded, “AI, for me, is more of a tool than an actual thing to fear.” He believes AI is only a threat if it remains unregulated, stating, “Yes, but only if it is unregulated. If AI was regulated, it would be much easier for creatives not to worry so much.” Finally, when asked if AI could be creative, he said, “Maybe in the future, but as of right now, no.”
A Pew Research poll surveyed artists on their opinions about AI-generated art. Of the 74 respondents, a majority found AI’s use in art to be unethical, particularly because the AI art industry is estimated to be worth billions of dollars while relying on pre-existing human-created artwork. However, nearly half of the surveyed artists also acknowledged that AI could be a useful tool if applied ethically. Opinions were split on how AI will affect artists in the long run—some believe it will dramatically reshape the art world, while others think its influence will be more moderate.

Final Thoughts

AI is still heavily reliant on human-created works, making it unlikely to fully replace artists anytime soon. However, if AI continues to evolve to the point where it can compete with human creativity, regulations must be in place to ensure that it does not undermine the originality, effort, and artistry of human creators. AI should serve as a tool that enhances creative work—not one that diminishes it.

​​Links/Factual Sources
Markets and Markets. “Artificial Intelligence Market – 2025 | MarketsandMarkets.” Marketsandmarkets.com, 2023, www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/artificial-intelligence-market-74851580.html.

Gross, Paige. “Americans’ Perception of AI Is Generally Negative, Though They See “Beneficial Applications” • Wisconsin Examiner.” Wisconsin Examiner, 29 Aug. 2024, wisconsinexaminer.com/2024/08/29/americans-perception-of-ai-is-generally-negative-though-they-see-beneficial-applications/ Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.