By Tyler Tran
Artificial Intelligence, known as technology that allows computers to imitate human intelligence, is reshaping the art world by introducing new opportunities and ethical concerns.
As AI-driven creations enter mainstream galleries and artist studios, St. Petersburg’s vibrant art scene may face a significant transformation. Some fear AI’s influence could dilute the authenticity for which the city is known.
“As a creative in the modern world, I am neither ‘strongly against’ nor ‘strongly for’ AI in the art world because I see how it can have both a positive and negative effect,” said Hailey Kammerer, an upcoming traditional artist navigating AI’s growing presence in today’s art.
As AI becomes more prominent, St. Petersburg’s art scene is confronting new challenges. While some artists embrace the creativity that AI can offer, others, like Kammerer, express concerns about ethical issues and the potential loss of authenticity in the city’s creative spaces.
“Keeping up with all the AI technological advances nowadays can be challenging,” Kammerer said, emphasizing her openness to learning while not abandoning traditional methods.
Kammerer, who recently interned at Evolve & Co., — a team of brand researchers and digital strategists– uses AI for specific design tasks like quick selections and background removals.
She believes artists shouldn’t feel pressure to discard established techniques just to adapt to new trends. Instead, she believes artists can balance innovation with tradition by integrating AI tools selectively.
One of the ethical concerns surrounding AI in the art world involves the question of originality and the respect owed to human artists. Kammerer criticized AI’s reliance on data that often includes other artists’ works without consent or compensation– a method she finds both disappointing and devaluing.
“As a creative who genuinely loves the process of creating, I find it disappointing that typing in a compilation of words to generate a complete design or illustration gives it the potential ability to replace certain jobs and individuals,” Kammerer said.
Although she doubts AI can fully replace human artists, she worries that reliance on AI may undervalue the personal touch and experiences that can be seen in human-created art, she said.
McArthur Freeman, a traditional artist and USF associate professor who has incorporated AI into his work, views technology as a tool with unlimited potential. Freeman’s project, “Imagine Blackness,” expresses representation in AI-generated art.
He shared that over the years, as technology has advanced, he now sees the computer differently. He sees the computer as his medium, and he uses AI as one of many tools for tasks like concept development. However, Freeman also acknowledged its ethical concerns.
“One significant issue is whether or not AI companies can use the work of others to train models,” he said, noting the lack of consent and compensation in training datasets.
Despite these concerns, Freeman sees the technology’s potential to work collaboratively with artists in a way that would elevate creative expression.
Freeman also acknowledges that AI could disrupt commercial art jobs, particularly in roles like illustration or video editing where speed and cost may outweigh artistic vision.
Fine arts, like gallery and museum pieces, are less likely to be overshadowed by AI given their emphasis on unique perspectives and personal expression, Freeman added.
As AI art continues to make its way into the art scene, St. Petersburg may see its artistic landscape shift in many ways. For a city known for its street murals, galleries and art studios, the area thrives on its hands-on community driven approach to art. The rise of AI generated work could allow artists to experiment with new forms, possibly broadening the city’s art appeal.
While technology makes it easy to produce art that’s convincing and at a fast pace, there’s a possible risk of ruining the character of St. Pete’s local art community. The individuality of local artists could be in jeopardy and residents like Reece Townsend fear that this could undermine the city’s creative spaces.
“St. Pete’s art is about the people, the stories and the creativity that make it unique,” Townsend said. “AI-generated sort of feels lifeless, like it’s taking shortcuts that don’t really end up having that human touch.”
Townsend said that pieces like the Vitale Brothers’ mural, a tribute to the Tampa Bay Rays and their new City Connect uniforms, authentically represent the city’s spirit for art.
“Look at the City Connect mural by the Vitale Brothers,” Townsend said. “That’s a piece that truly represents our city.”
As AI technology continues to evolve, St. Petersburg’s art community faces an uncertain yet intriguing future, with artists and the community debating whether AI is a valuable complement or a disruption to the city’s vibrant culture.