Art has existed for as long as humanity itself. Throughout history, it has been one of humanity's most important ways of expressing itself and communicating with the world around us. Color and form are a language through which an artist's lived experiences, thoughts, and perspectives are conveyed to the viewer.

But what happens when the human behind the artwork disappears? When an artwork is generated by artificial intelligence, without a life lived or human reflection, has art lost its purpose? Can we really call AI-generated art art? Personally, I struggle to.

Philosophical questions rarely have definitive answers, and the question of what art actually is has long been debated. There is no objective definition of art. In principle, almost anything can be considered art. So technically speaking, that means AI-generated images qualify as art too. Perhaps the more interesting question, then, is why the human element in art feels so important to us, or whether we really need it at all.

Beyond simply being aesthetically pleasing, art evokes emotion, challenges our assumptions, and opens us up to perspectives we might never have considered before. Sometimes it tells stories of the past, the present, or the future. Sometimes it provokes us. Sometimes it helps us better understand both ourselves and the world around us. Above all, it gives us access to other people's stories and perspectives. If we're willing to accept this as a simplified description of some of art's most important functions, then the question of the human creator becomes difficult to ignore.

Because an AI has neither memories, nor a childhood, nor relationships. Free from fear, dreams, and intuition, it cannot die, but neither can it live.

"Because an AI has neither memories, nor a childhood, nor relationships. Free from fear, dreams, and intuition, it cannot die, but neither can it live."

At the same time, it’s impossible to deny that AI can create beautiful images. Within seconds, it can produce visuals that will soon become almost impossible to distinguish from human-made art. For someone who simply wants something decorative to hang on their wall, it may not matter who created the image, or why it was created in the first place. AI makes images cheaper, faster, and more accessible. But for those who value the human element, AI-generated art is perhaps the most boring thing in the world.

I also can't shake the strange feeling I get when scrolling through websites filled with thousands of AI-generated posters. Usually, there is so much humanity in art that the absence of artists behind the work feels almost ghost-like. Research on the psychological phenomenon known as the uncanny valley suggests that this discomfort happens when something appears capable of thinking or feeling like a human, even though we know that no human is actually there (Belanche, Casaló, Schepers & Flavián, 2021). The more AI-generated art attempts to imitate human creativity, the more unsettling it becomes.

"Usually, there is so much humanity in art that the absence of an artist behind the work feels almost ghost-like."

At the same time, I'm not going to pretend that I never use AI or that I'm completely opposed to it. I think it is an incredible tool for analyzing data, organizing information and correcting spelling. But there is something fundamentally unsettling when AI begins replacing the very things where the human element is the point. It would be like replacing every meaningful conversation about life with artificial intelligence. 

Deeply dystopian, if you ask me.

I believe we will continue seeking out human artists rather than empty images. Whether it's the work of Fredrik Larsson, Nike Adawi, or Josefin Blomkvist, what we encounter is not just their art, but their own way of seeing, interpreting, and illustrating the world. That is why Cay Collective exists: to bring attention to independent creators and celebrate handmade art, fashion, ceramics, and design. In an age of mass production, we believe in the value of personal expression and the individual behind every work.

So, wtf is AI-generated art? It may imitate the language of art, but it can never replace the human artist.

Further reading:

Belanche, D., Casaló, L. V., Schepers, J., & Flavián, C. (2021). Examining the effects of robots’ physical appearance, warmth, and competence in frontline services: The Humanness‐Value‐Loyalty model. Psychology & Marketing

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