The Role of Artists in the Age of AI: Reflections from #WeTheArtists and the Launch of Sora
This morning, I find myself reflecting on a conversation that emerged during my recent talk at ThinkYoung Digital Coalition in Brussels: What does the future hold for artists in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence? A striking perspective was shared—a potential return to physical, tangible works, where the human touch becomes the driving force of artistic expression. This idea feels particularly relevant today, as I prepare to open my exhibition #WeTheArtists in #Sofia, Bulgaria, while also observing the launch of OpenAI’s Sora, a tool that represents yet another leap in creative possibilities powered by AI.
My exhibition #WeTheArtists invites questions rather than providing answers. As technology continues to reshape artistic practice, I wonder if the image we’ve held of the artist throughout the 20th century is now set to change irreversibly. Will the human element remain relevant in defining artistic value? Or will it fade into the background, overshadowed by the efficiency and innovation brought by #AI? I don’t claim to know the answers, but these are the questions that occupy my mind as I observe the shifting landscape of creativity.
At the same time, OpenAI is launching Sora today, a groundbreaking tool designed to enhance creative workflows. Sora exemplifies how AI can empower creators, enabling faster iterations, exploring new aesthetics, and sparking ideas that might not have been conceived otherwise. Yet, this launch also raises profound questions. As AI continues to narrow the gap between machine-generated and human-created art, what becomes of the artist? Will the role of the artist shift from creator to curator—guiding, refining, and imbuing meaning into works co-created with AI? Or will the imperfections, intuition, and deeply personal touch of the human artist still hold a unique value in a saturated digital landscape?
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I don’t see this as a conflict between humanity and technology but as an unfolding transformation that none of us fully understand yet. The future of art might lie in a hybrid approach, or it might veer into entirely uncharted territory. As I reflect on the themes of #WeTheArtistsand the possibilities unlocked by tools like #Sora, I am reminded of the uncertainty that defines this moment. While AI offers incredible opportunities for creation and innovation, it also forces us to reconsider what art is and what role the artist plays in its making.
The conversations we are having now will shape the narrative for years to come. #Artists have always adapted to technological shifts, and this moment is no different. The challenge is to navigate this transformation while staying open to the possibilities—and the questions—that arise.
What role do you think artists will play in the AI-driven future?
ZN #art #digitalart Philip Weiss Sean Hayes
Senior EU Communications & PR Expert, Events, Moderator,TV & Radio Presenter, Political Campaigns,English Professor, Podcaster
4moThe human touch is forever key and I see absolutely no avenue for AI to take over, for true art it is without doubt the only way, each person each person brings originality, authenticity that which AI can never replace, I am seeing this trend especially in music industry or sculpture or dance for instance.
Creative Director at ZN Consulting
4moFor me this will make us value the human touch even more - good luck on exhibition Jesús 👏
Advertising Creative MisChief. Art Director/Photographer/Copywriter/AI Explorer. In search of better questions.
4moAs Picasso said in 1968: "Computers are useless. They can only give you answers." 56 years later, does that still hold true? Computers offer easy answers, but art is about asking interesting questions. AI is designed to make life efficient and effortless. Artists understand that struggle and searching for meaning are integral to creativity. AI relies on reductive reasoning; art enlarges metaphysical understanding. The mismatch is clear. Yet, as you mention Jesús, the role of artists includes curation. Aesthetic decisions - what to keep and discard - are 90% of creativity. Can AI be just another tool for artists? A new medium, like charcoal or pigment? Or, as someone at Google put it: "AI isn’t just another hammer; it’s the carpenter." Tech Bros believe machines will replace human creativity. Maybe it’s up to artists to prove them wrong. Maybe it’s always been the artist’s role to show that humans are immortal spiritual beings in a finite world. Maybe AI can help us see we’re all artists in this sense. Maybe.
Senior NonProfit Leader | CEO of Novya | Executive MBA
4moThanks for sharing. I am with you that "AI can empower creators". Machine generated 'art' has existed ever since humans dabbled with technology. Granted, this is more sophisticated, but still requires a creator.
The debate is not new. Andy Warhol ran a factory of little helpers to produce his work. In many ways, he was more an art director than an artist in the Picasso mode.