Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about AI making art. You’ve probably seen those AI-generated images floating around—
some are impressive,
some are just... weird.
But does this mean human artists are doomed?
Is there even a competition between AI and real artists?
And most importantly, will collectors still care about human-made art in the future?
Let’s dive in.
My Panic Phase (And Why I’m Over It)
When AI art first started popping up everywhere, I won’t lie—I had a mini existential crisis.
Was this it? Was I about to be replaced by a machine that doesn’t even spill its own coffee on the paper?
The fear was real.
What if, one day, all artists were obsolete and AI just took over?
But now, two years later, I’ve made peace with it.
AI is fun (hello, ChatGPT), and it’s got its uses, but when it comes to creating real art—the kind that tells a story, carries emotion, and makes someone stop and feel something—it’s no competition.
And honestly? Scrolling through Pinterest now, I play a little game called Spot the AI Art, because you can totally tell the difference once you know what to look for.
AI-generated pieces often have that weird, too-perfect, soulless vibe (See two photos down), And extra fingers. Always extra fingers.
My "Who Moved My Cheese?" Moment
Remember that book Who Moved My Cheese?—the one about dealing with change?
At first, I was the artist equivalent of "Hem," the little guy refusing to budge, panicking that my cheese (aka, my livelihood) was gone forever.
AI was this big, scary thing coming for everything I loved.
But after enough time (and a lot of coffee-fueled late-night debates with fellow artists), I realized I was actually "Haw"—I adapted.
I saw that, sure, AI could spit out flashy images, but it couldn't tell my story. It couldn't paint with my hands, with my life experiences shaping every brushstroke.
Turns out, my cheese was never gone—just slightly rearranged.
And I’m okay with that.
AI in Art: A Tool, Not a Threat
First things first—*AI-generated art is not magic. It doesn’t think, feel, or create with intention.
It just mashes together patterns based on what it’s been trained on. It’s like a supercharged Photoshop filter, not a visionary artist with a story to tell.
That said, AI has its perks. It can be a fun tool to spark ideas or help with things like color palettes, compositions, or even quick concept art.
But can it replace human creativity? Not really.
AI can remix what already exists, but it doesn’t have personal experiences, emotions, or that spark of originality that makes art, well, art.
My AI Experiment: The Lioness and the Wonky TV
To really put AI to the test, I did a little experiment.
After finishing my coffee painting The Time Keeper, I asked an AI generator to create a painting of a lioness sitting on an old TV.
The result?
Honestly, a beautiful piece of digital art—but it lacked my brushstrokes, my intention, and my weird, unexpected details.
Plus, I didn’t ask for another lioness inside the TV, and yet, there she was, staring around like some kind of ghostly channel interference.
And the TV itself?
Let’s just say it looked like it had seen better days.
The background was stunning, though—I’ll give AI that.
But the whole experience just reinforced what I already knew: AI can generate pretty images, but it can’t replace the depth, the story, or the emotional connection that comes with human-made art.
The Pros and Cons of AI Art
Pros:
It’s fast – AI can churn out thousands of images in minutes.
It’s accessible – You don’t need years of training to type in a prompt and get an image.
It can help with creative blocks – Artists can use AI to generate references or brainstorm new ideas.
Cons:
No soul – AI doesn’t have personal experiences, and it shows in the art.
Copyright chaos – A lot of AI models are trained on existing art without artists’ permission, which is a huge ethical mess.
Over-saturation – If AI floods the market with cheap, mass-produced art, it could devalue real, thoughtful work.
Is AI Competing With Human Artists?
In some industries—like commercial illustration or design—AI is making waves because it’s fast and cheap.
But when it comes to real art—the kind that people collect, display, and connect with—it’s a different story.
Collectors don’t just buy an image. They buy a story, a vision, a connection with the artist.
AI-generated pieces might be cool for decoration, but will someone spend thousands on an AI painting when there’s no artist behind it? Probably not.
Will Collectors Still Care About Human Art in 20 Years?
Absolutely. In fact, as AI-generated art becomes more common, human-made art might become more valuable.
Why? Because it’s unique. Because there’s a real person, real emotions, and real intention behind it.
Think about handmade vs. machine-made goods—there will always be people who value craftsmanship, originality, and authenticity.
The same goes for art.
The Future: AI & Artists Coexisting
Rather than thinking of AI as a competitor, artists can use it as a tool—just like they use digital software or reference photos.
The key is to keep pushing personal creativity, storytelling, and craftsmanship—things AI can’t replicate.
So, no—AI isn’t replacing real artists anytime soon.
And in 20 years?
There will still be collectors who appreciate human art for what it is: something made with heart, mind, and soul.
What do you think?
Is AI a threat, a tool, or just another trend? write your opinion in the comments below
*AI art refers to artwork created with the assistance of artificial intelligence algorithms.
These systems analyze vast datasets of existing artworks to learn patterns, styles, and techniques, enabling them to produce new pieces that often resemble human creations.
Notable AI art generators, such as DALL·E and Midjourney, have gained attention for their ability to produce unique and complex images based on textual prompts.
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