AI and Art – Thoughts on Creativity, Ethics, and New Possibilities

The combination of AI and art is a subject that raises a great deal of discussion, questions, and conflicting emotions. When I began exploring the possibilities of AI in my own artistic work in the spring of 2023, I could not ignore the ethical and philosophical questions surrounding it.

What does it mean when AI participates in the creation of an artwork? Who is the creator? Can AI have its own style or ideology? Can it genuinely function as a source of inspiration?

I spent a long time reflecting on my own relationship with AI and wanted to find a way of working that felt authentic to me.

From the beginning, it was clear that I wanted to be open about using AI as an assistant in my process. I do not see anything to hide in it — quite the opposite. Highlighting the creative possibilities of AI may encourage others to experiment with new ways of working as well.

At the same time, working with AI has become a way for me to expand my imagination and push it into directions I would not have discovered on my own.

Image generators allow me to experiment with unusual combinations and quickly explore how certain ideas might appear visually. My current painting project, the Imagiarium portrait gallery, emerged directly from this kind of experimentation.

The series of cats, frogs, and rubber ducks is not simply humorous or random — it is rooted deeply in my own memories, emotions, and imagination.

And perhaps most importantly: when someone points out that an "error" in an AI-generated image would normally be considered a mistake overlooked by an artist, I often see it differently. If a frog happens to have five legs — why not?

The world is full of difference, and things do not need to be perfect or expected in order to be beautiful.

Of course, the ethical questions surrounding AI are complex. I have spent a great deal of time thinking about issues such as:

• Copyright: Who is the creator — the algorithm or the human giving the prompts?

• Sustainability: How much energy does AI consume compared to traditional working methods?

• Authenticity of creativity: Can AI have its own style or ideology, and if so, does it influence my work?

• Motivation for use: Is AI simply an economic necessity, or can its use stem from genuine artistic curiosity and personal interest?

Although AI has raised many questions and even conflicting emotions for me, I have ultimately come to believe that its possibilities are enormous.

Rather than seeing AI as a threat to art, I see it as a new kind of collaborator. AI does not replace the artist, but it can function as a platform for new ideas and open doors we do not yet even know exist.

The characters in Imagiarium reflect this way of thinking: there is room in the world for all kinds of beings, and beauty can emerge from unexpected combinations.

I also want to challenge some of the common assumptions about AI in creative industries.

People often say that "designers are forced to use AI because reducing costs is all that matters." But why could it not also be the opposite? Why couldn't artists genuinely want to experiment with new technologies and explore their possibilities out of curiosity and excitement?

I certainly belong to those who are sincerely fascinated by the idea that technology can help imagination take flight.

The relationship between AI and art is not simple or straightforward, but for me it has been an inspiring journey.

I want to continue exploring ways of combining traditional and modern methods, technology and craftsmanship, chance and intentionality.

In the future, I see myself expanding the world of Imagiarium even further — perhaps paintings will become sculptures, patterns will become textiles, and the entire universe will continue growing into new forms.

And who knows what kinds of possibilities technology may bring next?