AI? Predictive Media. Art
AI? Predictive Media. Art

Summary/Abstract: In this paper, I shall explore the relationship between predictive text2image technology and art. To do this, I shall navigate the discursive landscape that facilitates the consideration of this cultural phenomenon within a rational framework. This is necessary because public discourse is mostly dominated by unrealistic expectations resulting from identifying this technology as “Artificial Intelligence.” The theoretical frame is posthumanism, which affords us the necessary intellectual tools to scrutinise the genesis of what Manovich calls “predictive media.” Equipped with the appropriate terminology, I will explore the process of the creation of images with a special focus on prompt engineering and curation to showcase the collaborative effort of the artist and the application. Furthermore, I shall refer to the competitions (Sony, Főfotó) wherein this technology plays a consequential role, to traditional art forms that share some crucial features with this technology, and some concerns related to predictive media will be raised. Through this analysis, I argue that contrary to early responses, predictive media applications bear the hallmark of art, and their creators rightfully merit the designation of artists.

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