"The Intersection of Artistic Originality and Algorithmic Search: Exploring the Role of Humans in Digital Creation"

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Hatched by Glasp

Aug 15, 2023

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"The Intersection of Artistic Originality and Algorithmic Search: Exploring the Role of Humans in Digital Creation"

In the world of digital art, the question of originality and ownership has always been a complex issue. This was exemplified by Michael Noll's experience with his piece of digital art, Quadratic Gaussian. Noll faced challenges in copyrighting his work as it was generated by a machine. However, he argued that although the numbers generated appeared random, the algorithm behind it was perfectly mathematical. Eventually, after multiple resubmissions, Quadratic Gaussian was registered as a "Geometric Abstract Forms."

The struggle faced by Noll in obtaining copyright for his work brings to light the two main issues in the digital art world - personal originality and unicity. Is the art truly created by someone, and is it unique? Noll, like many AI artists today, defined the parameters of the generation and chose one particular work, similar to how AI artists associate prompts and seeds.

Interestingly, Bell Labs, where Noll worked, had contemplated applying corporate ownership to generative art. However, they supported Noll's copyright application, allowing him to retain full ownership. This highlights the ongoing debate surrounding AI art and its attribution to the generator, as it raises significant issues of public accountability.

If generative AI art had emerged during the 1960s, it would have undoubtedly shocked the emerging digital artist community. However, it may not have fundamentally challenged their views on authorship and art making. The presence of a collective memory of major artworks further complicates the assignment of authorship. Without careful consideration, influential authors and artworks can dilute the true essence of the artist's creation.

Moving beyond the realm of art, the issue of algorithmic search has also come under scrutiny. Google search, in particular, has faced criticism for its susceptibility to spam and content farms. These websites produce articles that match popular search terms but lack useful content. This raises questions about the effectiveness of algorithmic search and whether a more social and human-powered approach is the way forward.

Experts, like Kedrosky, propose that curation is the new search. They argue that combining human judgment with algorithmic efficiency can lead to more meaningful search results. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook, where millions of links are shared daily, offer an opportunity for users to become inadvertent curators of the web. By sharing relevant and valuable content, they contribute to a more curated and reliable online experience.

In conclusion, the intersection of artistic originality and algorithmic search presents both challenges and opportunities. The ongoing debate surrounding AI art and its attribution to the generator raises questions of accountability and authorship. Similarly, the issues with algorithmic search have led to a renewed focus on human curation. By combining human judgment with algorithmic efficiency, we can create a more meaningful and reliable digital experience.

Actionable Advice:

  • 1. Embrace the potential of generative AI art while considering the challenges it poses to attribution and authorship. Engage in thoughtful discussions and explore ways to ensure public accountability in this emerging field.
  • 2. As a content creator or consumer, prioritize curation over algorithmic search. Share and consume content that has been vetted or recommended by trusted sources, contributing to a more reliable online ecosystem.
  • 3. Be mindful of the collective memory of major artworks when creating or discussing digital art. Dilute the influence of influential authors and artworks to allow for the true essence of the artist's creation to shine through.

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