After nearly two years of focus on artificial intelligence and its expanding role in daily lives, the nature and scale of the AI challenge prevailing to the artists, art institutions and academics seeking transparent information has become clearer. The latest edition of the Stanford University’s Artificial Intelligence Index Annual Report offers a comprehensive overview of the imposing challenges.
The report highlights a shift towards an AI industry increasingly controlled by tech giants like Google, Microsoft, OpenAI and Meta. These companies are leading in advanced AI developments which are unaffordable for most academic institutions. The finding also indicates that proprietary AI models which lack transparency, are outperforming open-source models available to researchers and artists.
For art institutes and artists, this forms a significant challenge. Museum director Thomas Campbell has warned that museums may soon have to incorporate tech giants to share information about art. He predicts that AI systems will be used to provide insights into artworks and it will be imperative for museums to adapt.
The Future Art Ecosystems team at Serpentine, in London, which published their fourth annual report aims at encouraging innovative thinking and collaboration between art and technology and says cultural institutions must focus on partnerships that serve the public rather than just seeking advanced technologies.
The core issue for artists and institutions is whether to engage with proprietary AI or to opt for open-source models. The rise of AI has caused public anxiety especially in the art world where they have to redefine what it means to be an “AI” artist. They must figure out how to use AI to enhance their collections, without creating a distance from their audiences as AI takes away the experience of full richness of art. Despite the challenges, there is optimism that breakthroughs in efficiency and collaborations between industry and academia could revitalize research.
Art institutions continue to explore how to manage and license their data for AI training while maintaining control and visibility. In the UK, Arts and Humanities Research Council is funding initiatives to explore more about AI’s impact on culture and promote responsible AI use. As AI rapidly evolves, it becomes imperative for the art world to navigate these challenges with help of useful reports like Stanford’s.
