This article on the ethics of AI art is slightly off my usual themes of responsible, inclusive leadership, strategy and innovation. I have experimented on and off with creating digital art using the current and growing crop of Generative AI tools. I’ve always enjoyed creating “art”, but have never developed any skills in drawing or painting so I have only dabbled in the digital arts.

One of the topics that has been simmering in the back of my mind as I’ve delved into the world of AI-generated art is the question: “Is it really art?” It’s a question that carries weight for anyone navigating the realms of creativity, technology, and ethics. As someone who has spent decades balancing technical innovation with creativity, this intersection is both fascinating and thought-provoking.

Let’s break it down and explore what’s at stake here.

Is It Really Art?

First, let’s tackle the core question: What makes art, art? Is it the process? The intention? Or the emotional connection it evokes? If we go by traditional definitions, art is often seen as a deeply personal expression, reflecting human experiences, emotions, and imagination. By that measure, can something generated by an algorithm – devoid of human emotion – be called art?

Some would argue that AI is simply a tool, like a paintbrush or a camera. Just as photography was once dismissed as “mechanical” and not “real art,” AI tools are now being critiqued for their lack of a “soul.” However, others see AI as an extension of human creativity. After all, the algorithms are built, trained, and directed by humans. It’s not that the machine is “creating” in isolation – it’s acting based on the frameworks and prompts we provide.

One of the beautiful (and perhaps unsettling) things about AI-generated art is that it can surprise us. It creates combinations, patterns, and forms that a human might never have conceived. It reminds me of how early experiments with digital technology opened up new possibilities in sound engineering and visualization. I see parallels between that evolution and what’s happening now with AI art: it’s pushing boundaries, not replacing traditional methods, but augmenting them.

But there’s a distinction worth noting. When I play with AI art tools, I see myself as the director – the one imagining the scene, providing input, and curating the results. To me, the creative intent still comes from the human, while the execution is aided by AI. So yes, it can be “real art,” but only when framed with human purpose.

Is It Ethical?

The ethics of AI-generated art is a thornier question. At the heart of the debate is how AI systems are trained. These tools often rely on massive datasets scraped from the internet – datasets that include copyrighted works, photographs, and illustrations. The issue is this: Did those original creators consent to their work being used? And if not, are we effectively allowing AI to plagiarize on an industrial scale?

Let’s imagine a traditional artist creating a painting inspired by another. There’s usually an implicit acknowledgment of the source, and originality comes through interpretation. But when an AI model produces something “inspired” by countless artworks, it’s harder to pinpoint where the originality ends and replication begins.

Some countries are already grappling with legal questions about intellectual property. Who owns AI-generated art? The user? The company behind the AI model? Or no one at all? I’ve always been an advocate of fairness and transparency in business and creativity, so I firmly believe in disclosing the origins of AI-generated works. As creators, we must respect the boundaries of intellectual property, even in this grey area.

For me, it’s about balance. AI shouldn’t diminish the value of traditional artists’ work, nor should it devalue the human effort behind creativity. It should be a tool that democratizes creativity – making art accessible to people like me, who don’t have formal training but have ideas they want to express.

Are People Turned Off by AI-Generated Art?

This is perhaps the most subjective question. Reactions to AI-generated art vary widely, from awe to skepticism to outright disdain. Some people embrace it as a new form of creative expression, while others dismiss it as soulless, mechanical, or inauthentic.

I suspect much of the resistance comes down to how we value art. Traditional art carries the weight of history, craftsmanship, and the artist’s personal story. A painting isn’t just about the image; it’s about the journey, the struggle, and the hand that made it. AI-generated art doesn’t have that narrative – at least not in the traditional sense. Instead, it challenges us to rethink what we value in art.

Interestingly, I’ve noticed that transparency plays a big role here. People are more accepting of AI-generated art when it’s clearly labelled as such. Honesty about the process – the prompts used, the algorithms involved – helps bridge the gap and build trust. On the flip side, passing off AI art as entirely human-made feels disingenuous and fuels scepticism.

Monetizing AI-Generated Art

Now, let’s address the practical side of this debate: monetization. The business of art has always been about more than just creativity; it’s also about market perception and value. With AI art, there’s a unique challenge: pricing. How do you assign value to something created with minimal time or effort compared to traditional methods?

One could argue that AI-generated art is less about the output and more about the idea behind it – the prompt, the concept, and the vision of the person directing the AI. In that sense, it aligns with industries like graphic design, where the value lies in delivering a solution rather than the hours spent creating it.

However, as AI tools become more accessible, the market risks becoming oversaturated. The novelty of AI-generated art will wear off, and creators will need to differentiate themselves by emphasizing originality, storytelling, and authenticity.

From a business perspective, it’s also worth exploring partnerships between traditional artists and AI creators. Imagine hybrid works where human skill and AI-generated elements coexist, creating something entirely new. For entrepreneurs, this could be an exciting space to explore – a blend of old and new that captures both tradition and innovation.

The Path Forward

So where does this leave us? For me, the future of AI-generated art isn’t about replacing human creativity; it’s about enhancing it. It’s a tool, a collaborator, and a spark for ideas that might not have otherwise existed. But with great power comes great responsibility. As creators, businesses, and consumers, we need to approach this technology thoughtfully, with an eye on the ethics of AI art and on transparency, and fairness.

Ultimately, art – whether human-made or AI-generated – is about connection. It’s about how it makes us feel, what it inspires in us, and the stories it tells. In that sense, perhaps the real question isn’t, “Is it art?” but rather, “Does it move you?” Because if it does, then maybe, just maybe, it’s worth calling it art.

Chris Mason MBA

Advisor – Leadership, Innovation & Strategy

Chris Mason is a seasoned leader with over 40 years in the tech industry, recognized for his expertise in strategy, innovation, and team empowerment. As the former General Manager of an engineering software house, he guided the company and its teams through the peaks and troughs. And helped create some of the best vibration and acoustics analysis solutions in the world through strategic innovation and an inclusive approach to leadership.

Chris holds an Executive MBA from the University of Winchester, where his research on “Barriers to Open Innovation for Technology SMEs” reflected his passion for fostering collaboration and driving change. Beyond corporate roles, he is a trusted strategic advisor and non-executive director, helping startups and SMEs unlock potential through leadership development, digital/AI adoption and business strategy. His goal is to transform ideas into impactful realities, empowering teams and businesses to thrive in competitive landscapes.