Many people argue ai art isn’t “real art” because the person generating it didn’t physically create it and anyone could do it. Many people also argue modern art that consists of an unchanged everyday object isn’t “real art” because the person displaying it didn’t physically create it and anyone could do it.

However, the first question that must be asked is what is “real art”? What defines “art” and whether it is real? It is a word that means something different to everyone and open to much interpretation. Oxford dictionary defines “art” as, “the use of the imagination to express ideas or feelings, particularly in painting, drawing or sculpture.” This definition includes both modern art and ai art as they are forms of expression through the imagination.

Secondly, some of the most famous modern art, for example, the urinal put on display by Duchamp titled Fountain, was not physically created by the artist. Instead, it was collected and suggested that it should be put on display. This often leads to many people saying, “I could’ve done that.” To which the response is often, “yeah, but you didn’t.” Modern art is also often sighted as something that is meant to evoke emotion and thought, rather than a show of skill like most classic art. Similarly, ai art is something that is not dependent on skill, sometimes even directly using other people’s skill or work, but still conveying emotion or ideas. So, why do we accept art that is just using other people’s object for your idea when it comes to modern art, but not ai art?

In conclusion, having the idea to put something like a blank canvas or an unchanged urinal on display without creating it is essentially the same as having an idea that you use a computer to express. For that reason, you cannot accept modern art without accepting ai art as well.