The idea of AI creating art is no longer unfamiliar. We now live in an era where AI-generated paintings are auctioned at prestigious houses, and AI-composed music is released on streaming platforms for mass consumption. With the advent of AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion, artificial intelligence has started occupying a significant role in the creative domain.

However, as technology advances, the question of what constitutes uniquely human creativity becomes even more pressing. Should AI-generated works be recognized as art? Is creativity and emotional depth the defining factors of art, or does technical execution and efficiency hold equal importance? While AI can expand the possibilities of art, it may also pose a challenge to its intrinsic value. In an age where AI produces art, do we still need human creators?



Lee Sedol vs. AlphaGo: A Prelude to the AI-Dominated Era?

In 2016, one of the most historic matches in the history of Go took place: the battle between human champion Lee Sedol 9-dan and Google's DeepMind AI, AlphaGo. The outcome was a resounding 4-1 victory for the AI.

Traditionally, Go was considered a game that relied heavily on human intuition and creativity. Yet, AlphaGo introduced moves that no human had previously conceived, demonstrating the capacity to develop new strategies. After his defeat, Lee Sedol remarked:

"We were the ones who used to pave the way. Now, we have become the ones following the path set by AI."

If AI surpasses humans in creativity and innovation, will art follow the same trajectory? Will artists no longer lead but instead conform to AI-driven trends?

This question leads to a deeper discussion on whether AI should be seen merely as a tool or as an autonomous creative force.


 
Descartes’ Mechanical View of Humanity and AI

The 17th-century philosopher René Descartes likened human beings to machines, considering the body as an automated system. According to Descartes, the key distinction between humans and animals lay in reason and language.

He asserted that animals were mere automata—machines devoid of a soul—while humans, as "thinking beings" (Res Cogitans), possessed the ability for logical thought and creative expression.

Descartes’ mechanistic theory was not limited to physical machinery but extended to any system operating under fixed principles. His philosophy influenced the development of modern science, aiming to explain all living beings, including humans, through physical laws. However, this perspective differs from today's AI, which evolves through data-driven learning and self-optimization.

Descartes did not anticipate AI as an advanced, intelligence-mimicking entity; rather, he sought to understand human cognition through mechanical principles. If we apply his theory to the AI era, AI remains a "mechanical body" with exceptional computational power but lacks the artistic consciousness that defines human creativity.

Thus, AI-generated art and music are merely products of data analysis and pattern recognition, not authentic acts of creation. At least, for now.


 
Can Elephants Create Art?

A viral video once captivated audiences, showing an elephant holding a brush and painting abstract strokes on a canvas. Many viewers marveled, exclaiming, "Even elephants create art!" But can we truly classify these works as art?

intent. No matter how visually stunning or sophisticated AI-generated works may be, can they truly hold the same artistic value as human-created pieces?

In reality, these elephants were trained to follow specific patterns. Even if their paintings appeared aesthetically impressive, they lacked intentionality and emotional depth—essential elements of artistic creation.

AI-generated art operates on a similar principle. AI learns patterns from existing data and generates new images based on algorithms. However, this process does not involve artistic



The Essence of Art: Where Do We Draw the Line?

Art is not merely about technical execution; it is an expression of human experience, emotion, philosophy, and creativity. While AI may display remarkable creative abilities, it cannot replace human consciousness. AI can assist artists but cannot become one. Only humans can feel, live, and translate those experiences into art.

As technology advances, will we embrace AI-driven art, or will we preserve the unique creative value of human expression?

Ultimately, the conclusion is clear: no matter how advanced AI becomes, art must remain a distinctly human endeavor. Rather than debating whether AI-generated works qualify as art, we should reaffirm that only human-driven acts of creation can be categorized as art. Establishing this fundamental premise is essential in the age of AI-driven creativity.