Generative AI and Creative Work: Narratives, Values, and Impacts

Generative AI has gained a significant foothold in the creative and artistic sectors. In this context, the concept of creative work is influenced by discourses originating from technological stakeholders and mainstream media. The framing of narratives surrounding creativity and artistic production not only reflects a particular vision of culture but also actively contributes to shaping it. In this article, we review online media outlets and analyze the dominant narratives around AI's impact on creative work that they convey. We found that the discourse promotes creativity freed from its material realisation through human labor. The separation of the idea from its material conditions is achieved by automation, which is the driving force behind productive efficiency assessed as the reduction of time taken to produce. And the withdrawal of the skills typically required in the execution of the creative process is seen as a means for democratising creativity. This discourse tends to correspond to the dominant techno-positivist vision and to assert power over the creative economy and culture.

by Baptiste Caramiaux, Kate Crawford, Q. Vera Liao, Gonzalo Ramos, Jenny Williams

Of particular importance for artists, designers, and others in the creative arts. AI will change their work, first by collecting the low hanging fruits, and then progressing from there. And it is important to understand the narratives being told around the issue as techno-positivism might lack the depth to account for negative side effects.

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