Is AI art soulless?

Many people argue that AI-generated art isn’t “real” art because they believe it lacks a soul. However, I have yet to see a clear explanation of what exactly this “soul” is supposed to be. From what I gather, they mean that AI art doesn’t evoke the same feelings in them as art created by humans. If that’s the case, it suggests that this “soul” isn’t something inherent in the artwork itself, but rather something that comes from within the person experiencing the art.

The fact that different people react differently to the same artwork further supports the idea that the “soul” doesn’t reside in the artwork but in the observer. One person might find an artwork deeply moving, while another might feel nothing at all.

For instance, someone who understands the artist’s intentions and the emotions poured into a piece might experience a complex range of feelings, while someone viewing the same artwork without that context might only feel one surface-level emotion. Imagine looking at a dark painting of wilted flowers. Whether you like or dislike it depends on your personal experiences, associations with the subject matter, and preferences in color, theme, or style.

Now, let’s add some context. If you learn that the artist created the painting as an expression of the horrors they witnessed during a war, you might feel an additional layer of emotion. If you’re familiar with the historical context of the war depicted, even more emotions might arise. In this sense, the “soul” of the painting begins to exist only when you engage with it, attaching your own experiences, knowledge, and emotions to what you see.

In other words, the “soul” of a piece of art is, in fact, a reflection of your own soul—your unique experiences and emotions brought to the surface as you interact with the artwork. This is why people can rightfully say, “This piece of art speaks to me,” or, “That one doesn’t.”

Famous artworks often gain their renown not because they inherently possess a “soul,” but because of their masterful execution (skilled craftsmanship) or the powerful, universally appreciated ideas behind them—deemed worthy of praise by a consensus of influential voices.

To conclude, if you find AI art “soulless,” it could mean one of two things:

  • You don’t like the aesthetics, don’t understand the tool or its place in the broader history of artistic tools, or lack context about the artist’s intention.
  • The artwork itself is poorly executed, lacking the craftsmanship that would make it resonate. Essentially, you’re looking at the work of a “student” still learning their craft.

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