The inclusion of Artificial Intelligence-created artwork in the Whitney Biennial 2024 has raised questions about the role of AI in the arts, with research showing a bias towards human-created art over AI-generated pieces.
AI Art Exhibition at Whitney Biennial Sparks Debate
The Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City is currently hosting its 2024 Biennial titled “Even Better Than the Real Thing,” featuring artwork created by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The exhibition runs from March 20 to August 11 and marks a significant inclusion of AI in contemporary art.
The debate over AI’s role in the arts centers around whether machine creativity can equate to human creativity. Two studies led by Lucas Bellaiche in July 2023 investigated this. Participants viewed AI-generated art, randomly labeled as either “human-created” or “AI-created,” and consistently rated the “human-created” labeled artworks higher across various criteria like beauty, profundity, and value.
The research suggests a bias towards art perceived as human-made, influenced by emotional responses and perceived effort involved in creation. Although AI can produce visually appealing art, it struggles to replicate the deeper, human-centric elements of creativity.
The studies indicate that while AI may complement human creativity, it is unlikely to replace the profound communication of human experiences inherent in traditional art forms. As AI continues to evolve, its role in the creative process is expected to enhance rather than supplant human artistry.
