AI Generates 'Human Premium' for Art, But Will It Last?

Artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding its creative capabilities, raising questions about the value of art produced by humans. While AI can generate music, writing, and visual art, many believe there will persist a "human premium" for works created through human effort and experience.

The music platform Deezer reports that 44% of uploaded tracks are AI-generated, yet 97% of listeners cannot distinguish between AI and human-created music. However, more than half of those surveyed indicated a preference for human-created art.

Daniel Susskind, an economics professor at King's College London, suggests that the human element in art is intrinsically valuable. "If I walk into the Sistine Chapel and look at the ceiling, I think not only is that extraordinarily beautiful, but isn't it amazing that a human hand, flesh and blood like my own, came up with that," he stated. This sentiment suggests that the appreciation for art is often tied to the understanding of the human endeavor behind its creation, not just the final product.

This idea is echoed in other fields. Following Garry Kasparov's 1997 chess match loss to the AI Deep Blue, chess saw increased popularity, indicating that human competition and involvement remain central to engagement.

Journalist Kyle Chayka observes that AI-generated writing is often perceived as "generic, obsequious and banal." This has led to a greater appreciation for writing that is more personal, even if it is less polished. He notes a similar trend in illustration and graphic design, where artists are leaning into unique and unusual styles to differentiate themselves from AI outputs.

Academics are exploring ways to label content as "human-made," similar to the "Fairtrade" label, to distinguish it from AI-generated works. This movement reflects a growing desire to identify and value human creativity.

However, the pervasive nature of AI and algorithmic content recommendation poses a challenge. Algorithms increasingly curate our cultural consumption, potentially diminishing the role of human discovery and agency. Chayka argues that this reliance on algorithms can make users passive consumers, favoring easily digestible content over more challenging or transformative art.

Historically, the introduction of new technologies has met with resistance. In 1986, some educators protested the use of calculators in mathematics education, fearing it would hinder fundamental learning. Despite these concerns, calculators became a standard tool.

Despite the rise of AI, there is a growing appreciation for in-person experiences. Alex Mahon, CEO of Superstruct Entertainment, a live entertainment group, has observed an increase in demand for live events, citing a desire for "unforeseeable… unpredictable" moments that are unique to live performance. These experiences, she notes, offer excitement and discovery that can be profound.

The question of when it is acceptable to rely on technology for cultural creation versus when human involvement is essential remains open. Ultimately, individuals will need to determine what role human artistry plays in their own lives and cultural consumption.