The central question my research will explore is whether AI-generated art represents an evolution or a rupture in artistic tradition. As with past technological advancements like photography and digital media, AI-generated art raises many questions on the authenticity of this medium. A key controversy in this debate is the case of Jason Allen, who won a digital art competition using AI-generated work, sparking widespread discussion about whether AI-assisted pieces should be considered art in the same way as traditionally crafted works. By examining historical parallels, particularly movements like Dadaism that challenged conventional notions of artistic creation, my project will analyze how AI-generated art fits within the larger history of art and whether it signals a transformation or a threat to art.

My research will draw from a range of sources to provide a comprehensive analysis of this debate. Two particularly important sources will likely serve as the basis of my paper. The first one that I will be looking at a scholarly article by Simona Chiodo in which she explores philosophical concepts pertaining to AI-generated art. More specifically, Chiodo argues the AI-generated art lacks a sense of “meta-sensemaking.” sense making refers to the idea of understanding the process of creating art rather than the final outcome. Meta-sensemaking will serve as an important key term in my paper that I would hope to explore further. Another source I believe to serve as a crucial ingredient to forming my paper is another scholarly article exploring the relationship between AI-generated art and previous historical art movements. The article introduces another key term that I will try to implement into my paper, which is Actor-Networking Theory, which is based on the principle of human and machine interacting on feedback loops. This article explores just how AI generated art is redefining the agency that we have over AI-generated art. By synthesizing these perspectives, this project will assess whether AI-generated art is simply a new tool for creative expression or a radical shift that disrupts the very nature of art itself.