Why AI Will Never Be Able to Replace Art

Rembrandt, self-portrait (1634)

There is still some talk here and there about AI and the impact it will have on the world of art. In my opinion, when it comes down to it, AI will never replace art, and here is why:

Art is a primarily communication—communication between two living beings.

On a more philosophical level, would go even further to say: art is communication between two spiritual beings.

We are moving more and more in the direction of a machine age where everything is made to be about computers, electronics, mechanics, etc.

But the essence of life is about communication, love, understanding, achieving dreams, etc. These are all spiritual qualities.

You may have heard it said that we are “spiritual beings having a human experience.” I very much believe that. In fact, I know it is true.

I also believe that, as spiritual beings, we are superior to the matter, energy, space and time of the physical universe. Have you ever sat in a room and suddenly had the feeling that someone was looking at you, and when you turned around, that person had indeed been looking at you and now they just turned their eyes away? There are many experiences in life like that; too many for a purely mechanical explanation of things.

For me personally, the vanquishing of time is one of the most exciting aspects of what art and communication can do. When you look at a painting of the Old Masters for example, you are seeing what they saw 400 years ago. If you have ever had the pleasure of seeing a Rembrandt portrait up close, you will see why he had the nickname “Painter of the Soul.” I find that fascinating, that you can really get an idea of someone who lived centuries ago; not just what they looked like but also what they were like.

This one of the reasons I like making albums. I know that those albums will far outlive me and that one day, some young person will hear that music and say “who was this Thisbe Vos girl?” And they will see the list of crowdfunding contributors and be impressed that we all made that happen together, with no record label.

And this is why AI will never replace art. Art is not just an object, it is a communication. And part of the communication is the story of the artists and the story of the art itself; why it was made, what inspired it, who helped make it happen, how it went out into the world and the impact it had at that moment and at later times.

It has been said that art feeds the soul, and if that is true, I am sure that that is because it is the closest thing in the physical world that reminds us of our spiritual nature. Machines don’t do that. They can’t do that. There is no one really there to send that communication. You cannot have a deep spiritual connection or understanding with a machine. Unless the machine is simply a tool used by an actual artist. Then it could be used to do some pretty cool things. But the connection would be with the artist, not with the machine.

But—as I’ve said before in another post, I believe that handmade and original work is going to experience a revival. Just like it did in the 19th century. So don’t despair if you are an artist. Your work is probably only going to become more important, not less, as we move into a more and more mechanical world. Just continue to be the light that feeds the soul. It may soon become a lighthouse.