Can Machines Create Art?

Abstract

In the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Art, one of the most critical questions is: “can computers be artists?” The bulk of this essay draws from an article titled Can Computers Create Art? by Computer Scientist and Researcher Aaron Hertzmann. Hertzmann anchors his arguments about art creation as a social act that only social agents can perform. Furthermore, he argues that without a marketing campaign convincing people and the art world to change the meaning of art, there are two scenarios under which a machine could be credited with artwork’s authorship. First, if the computer has human-level consciousness and intelligence or, second, if it is a Social AI. In this paper, I argue that human-level consciousness in a computer may be artistically useless to human beings, and perhaps more valuable to machines. I propose a possible creative machine without high levels of consciousness. In the presence of such a machine, I suggest a role I think human artists will play. Whether successful or not, I believe that building a creative computer will enhance human creativity and elevate our consciousness.

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