Illuminating Perspectives through Critical Visual Literacy: 56th Annual IVLA Con

In their recent Science paper, Epstein, Hertzmann, et al. explore the impact of generative AI on art, asserting that rather than signaling the end of traditional art forms, it introduces a distinct medium with unique potential. Drawing parallels with historical technological advancements like photography's evolution, they emphasize that new tools transform artistic practices rather than replacing them. The debate over the ontological status of AI-generated artworks focuses on authorship, with some advocating for AI programs as potential authors while others insist on human involvement due to the absence of consciousness in AI. Contextual interpretation is proposed as a key factor in understanding the nature of AI-generated photo-based images, with audiences recognizing the role of generative AI in manipulating images but not necessarily labeling them as a new genre. Authorship is attributed to the human user, likening their role of the AI programmer to that of camera or darkroom equipment constructors.