As we step into the September-October 2024 edition of Art & Deal Magazine, we stand at the fascinating
intersection of art and artificial intelligence (AI), where technology no longer serves as a mere tool but
emerges as an active collaborator in the creative process. With each passing day, AI’s growing influence
within the artistic landscape prompts a fundamental question: What does the future of art look like when
machines co-create alongside humans? And, more provocatively—can anything involving AI truly be
called art?
The role of AI in art has evolved from the simple use of algorithms for enhancements to a sophisticated
practice that touches every aspect of creative thought, from generative art to installations to data-driven
empathy in storytelling. Our cover story, Generative AI: Navigating Creativity, Empathy, and Research,
written by Rahul Bhattacharya, delves into the core of this transformation. He examines the nuanced role
of generative AI as a collaborator, one that doesn’t merely follow commands but contributes to an ever-
evolving dialogue between the artist’s intentions and the machine’s capacity for pattern recognition and
simulation. Bhattacharya’s exploration brings to light the crux of the issue—whether the machine can
genuinely empathise or understand the emotional core of an artwork and what that implies for the future
of creative agency.
The question of whether AI-driven works can be considered ‘true’ art is addressed by Gaurav Kumar in
his thought-provoking piece, Art and AI: Can Anything Involving AI Truly Be Art? Kumar wrestles with
the ethical and philosophical dilemmas surrounding AI’s integration into art. He asks whether the essence
of human creativity, rooted in personal experiences and emotions, is diluted when AI is involved. Kumar’s
insights challenge readers to rethink the relationship between the artist, the process, and the final work.
After all, if a machine can mimic or even surpass human creativity in some instances, where does that
leave the artist in this brave new world?
Yet, the emergence of AI in the artistic process is not just a disruption—it’s a fifth dimension that Felix
Chungkham poetically introduces in his essay Prologue to the Fifth Dimension. For Chungkham, the fifth
dimension represents a space where human consciousness, technology, and creativity converge. It’s where
the boundaries between digital and analogue, creator and tool, blur. He envisions a future where art
becomes a trans-human experience, augmented and enriched by the immense potential of AI. This
dimension may sound futuristic, even alien, but it is already taking shape in our present. In this space, AI
does not replace the artist but transforms the canvas, opening doors to possibilities that were previously
unimaginable.
As AI continues to integrate into the world of art, it raises important questions about authorship,
authenticity, and meaning. Artists are no longer solitary figures—today, they collaborate with networks of
machines, data, and algorithms. Does this signal a shift in what we perceive as creativity? Does it
challenge or enhance the essence of human expression? AI, for all its capabilities, lacks the lived
experiences, memories, and emotions that are often the soul of art. Yet, its ability to explore patterns,
generate new forms, and push the limits of technique is undeniable.
As we explore this theme, Art & Deal is committed to bringing you the diverse perspectives of creators
and thinkers navigating this evolving terrain. This edition is not only a reflection on where we are today
but also an invitation to imagine where we are headed. The future of art, entangled with AI, promises to
be as complex and exhilarating as the forces driving it.
I hope you enjoy this edition of Art & Deal. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome.
Wishing all our readers a peaceful and joyful Dussehra and Diwali.
Warm regards,
Siddhartha Tagore
