Artificial intelligence and public trust in the reinterpretation of art: An examination of human and AI-generated art

The impact of AI on art and design

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has profoundly influenced numerous sectors, with its impact on the arts being both transformative and contentious. AI-generated art is disrupting notions of creativity, authorship, and artistic value, prompting debates about public trust and artistic authenticity. AI tools can produce intricate, stylistically diverse artwork that resembles human creativity, raising fundamental questions about art and the artist’s role in the digital age. This article explores AI’s influence on traditional art practices, focusing on public trust, perceptions, and engagement. We examined the convergence and divergence between human-created and AI-generated artwork to assess audience interpretation and value, while investigating the challenges and opportunities AI artwork presents for originality and authenticity. In order to do this, we conducted a qualitative study involving ten art enthusiasts and two traditional art practitioners. We analysed the data using thematic analysis to uncover patterns and perceptions shaping contemporary discussions of trust in the age of AI. This article provides preliminary data on interpretations of AI-generated art and contributes to the broader conversation about the future of creativity by providing critical insights into the ethical, cultural, and aesthetic implications of AI in art, which inform debates about the authenticity of machine-generated content in a digital world.