Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the artistic landscape by enabling the creation of complex works without the traditional years-long process of technical mastery and personal development. This shift challenges longstanding assumptions about the nature of creativity, according to a new paper by Prof. Amit Zoran of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI).
Zoran, who leads the Hybrid Design Lab at HUJI’s Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, explores the implications of AI-generated art in his article, “More than we can make: Generative AI, artistic forms, and artistic becoming,” published in the journal AI & Society. He argues that the core value in art creation has historically been tied not only to the final product but also to the experiences, learning, and growth involved in the creative process.
“For centuries, producing sophisticated art required years of learning, experimentation, and personal transformation,” Zoran notes. Painters honed techniques and ways of seeing the world, while musicians developed physical discipline and emotional expression through long practice. In contrast, AI systems can now instantly generate detailed images or compositions without requiring their users to undergo such extensive training. Zoran describes this development as the “decoupling thesis,” which posits that AI enables artistic creation without the traditional personal journey.
Despite concerns that AI could render human artists obsolete, Zoran suggests instead that it invites a reevaluation of what constitutes meaningful creativity. He emphasizes that human creativity is not diminished but rather reoriented toward new forms of engagement, such as experimentation, interpretation, and collaboration with technology. The transformative experiences of creation, along with the impact of art on audiences and culture, remain central.
His research highlights examples where technology enriches human interaction with art beyond mere production. One such project involves a tree acting as a focal point in a multisensory interactive installation combining scent, taste, visual projections, recorded sounds, and AI-generated music. These approaches underscore how technology can deepen experiential connections rather than simply generating digital content.
Zoran also calls for reconsidering how AI tools are designed and assessed. Instead of focusing solely on output speed, realism, and quality, he advocates evaluating their capacity to inspire curiosity and foster exploration. “The future of creativity may depend less on what people can make and more on what they can discover, experience, and become through the creative process,” he states.
When asked whether the effort invested in creativity or the resulting work holds more value, Zoran emphasizes the former. “It is the process of creation that changes the artist and culture,” he explains, and this transformation is what imbues art with significance. He acknowledges that AI-generated art can elicit emotional responses similar to human-created pieces but maintains that the authenticity of the creative journey remains important.
Zoran situates this artistic evolution within broader historical shifts, comparing AI’s impact to the Industrial Revolution's transformative effect. Highlighting humanity’s adaptability, he suggests that while debates continue over authorship and value in AI art, the essence of creativity transcends the question of who or what produces the output.
Ultimately, the paper advocates for embracing AI as a tool that not only expands possibilities for artistic production but also encourages new ways of experiencing and understanding the world. Rather than displacing human creativity, AI may serve as a catalyst for rediscovering its deeper meaning through exploration and personal growth.