The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has only become more and more popular amongst the general population as it continues to advance and adapt to user preferences and requests.
The most recent AI trend taking social media websites like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook by storm is the “Ghibli AI Trend.” This trend entails users prompting AI models like Midjourney, ChatGPT and DALL-E to produce an image in the iconic art style used by Studio Ghibli, a Japanese animation studio famous for films like “Spirited Away,” “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Howl’s Moving Castle,” among many others. In this way, AI eliminates the need to spend any effort or time to learn the style and create an image.
Though many people were enamored by these new prospects, others raised concerns about the ethical implications, potential copyright issues, and environmental impacts that arise from this trend. This opens up a larger discussion on intellectual property rights as well as the issue of hyperconsumerism.
Some even stated that this was an insult to Hayao Miyazaki, co-founder of Studio Ghibli and creator of the Ghibli art style, citing a quote from a 2016 AI animation demo where he says, “I am utterly disgusted […] I would never wish to incorporate this technology into my work at all. I strongly feel that this is an insult to life itself.”
The Spectrum reached out to professors at UB’s Department of Art for their opinions on the use of these artificial intelligence models in the art curriculum and found a multitude of differing perspectives even between those who share fields of research.
UB’s Art Department does not hold an official stance on AI-generated media, instead it is up to the individual faculty member’s discretion to provide guidelines in their syllabus to best suit the needs of the course and their students.
Assistant Professor Becky Brown, who primarily works in the field of painting, commented, “As a painter, believer in physical materials and general 'luddite,' I have concerns about A.I. in my field and have not myself been tempted to use it yet.” She explains that her work and research have dealt with technological anxiety as a subject matter for a while now, but she intends to maintain a cautious optimism on AI-generated work.
Brown adds, “I support [artists using AI as an aid] as I would an artist using any other tool, and wish to learn more about them. Word of mouth has often been the way I discover a new tool or technique, so perhaps this is beginning to happen. In this particular case however, I will have to overcome deep and personal concerns before diving in.”
George Afedzi Hughes, Associate Professor and Program Head of Painting, has a slightly more positive stance on generative AI usage in the art sphere, saying, “I see AI as a tool and a creative asset rather than a liability.”
However, he does have his fair share of concerns, including artistic integrity, false attribution and copyright infringement. Ultimately, he feels that AI is a tool that relies on an honor code. He says, “The most important thing about generative AI in any art department should be transparency. Users should indicate the degree to which AI was involved in creating the work.”
Abdi Osman, Assistant Professor of Practice, shares a similar viewpoint as Hughes, saying that, “AI can be generatively used as a guide but not as a final product.”
Seeing as AI-generated work is already on the rise, he approaches the topic as a learning opportunity for his students and a lesson on moderation. He says, “It is also a great way to help students differentiate between fake and real images. I therefore don’t mind integrating AI use as a tool for students to learn the pros and cons of using it.”
In a multifaceted field of research with various disciplines, the consensus among the faculty is that it is difficult to adopt a one-size-fits-all approach that doesn’t interfere with a practice’s means of expression. For example, the Emerging Practices/Art and Technology field would require different policies than the Sculpture and Installation field.
Art is a medium of expression that embraces nuance, which is exactly why there is such fervent debate about the part generative AI plays in it all. Professors and students alike will just have to see how this unfolds in the coming years.
The arts desk can be reached at arts@ubspectrum.com
