State of the Art; a master thesis about how AI has changed making art

In this master thesis research, a multimethod study was conducted about the state of the art on how artificial intelligence has changed the way people make art. In the literature and media, AI art raised many questions surrounding originality, novelty, authenticity, human connection, and creativity. This research aimed to explore further how AI has changed the creative work process of artists. A total of 23 artists websites were analysed, five in-depth interviews were conducted, and one field observation was done at the first AI gallery. Based on a thematic analysis, it became clear that all artists who create with AI or related technologies have a big interest for technology and have prior knowledge. Motivators for making art with AI could be divided in five categories: societal, scientific, technological, natural, human life, and knowledge motivations. Artists see working with AI as a collaboration and can be seen as co-creative. Next, it was also a way of addressing and criticizing the current socio-technological systems we live in. With this research, more information was gathered about using AI in the creative work process. It has shown that artists are aware about the possible negative implications of AI. In some way, artists have become more transparent about their process. Lastly, more understanding was created about concepts related to co-creativity and art entrepreneurship. Overall, artists saw technology as an extension to their toolbox, a new kind of collaboration, creating new art experiences, enhancing their own creativity, and an adaption to their creative work process. Keywords: artificial intelligence, art, art entrepreneurship, creativity, co-creativity, technology