(Optional) For Transcript B
Our opponents argue that AI is simply a harmless tool for artists, but we firmly disagree. We believe AI is poised to fundamentally change the art world, and not for the better, leading to a decline in human creative arts.
First, let's address their "AI as a tool" argument. They claim that AI simply amplifies human capabilities. But this is misleading. It's like saying the printing press only amplified the capabilities of scribes. Yes, it made text more accessible, but it also, in many ways, made the scribe obsolete. AI is not just another brush or chisel. It can mimic styles, generate endless variations, and produce content at a speed and scale impossible for humans. This argument relies on a false analogy, comparing AI to traditional tools while ignoring its capacity for automation. The "collaboration" they describe is unequal, with humans increasingly relegated to the role of prompt engineers, not creators. Unlike traditional tools that remain relatively stable, AI technology is constantly evolving, requiring artists to continuously learn new skills and adapt their workflows, which can be challenging and time-consuming. In fact, *UN Trade and Development * reported in *2023* and *2024* that generative AI systems have already made significant inroads into creative industries, with human creatives being replaced in significant numbers in industries ranging from graphics design and illustrations to game design .
Second, let's reinforce the point about AI devaluing human art. They seem to think quantity equals value. But if everyone can create "art" with a simple prompt, what happens to the perceived worth of genuine skill and years of dedicated practice? Just as mass-produced goods often lack the quality and character of handmade items, AI art risks flooding the market with soulless imitations, diminishing the appreciation for the real thing. They also seem to ignore that AI's 'creativity' is derivative. It analyzes existing human art to generate outputs. As *PMC*, an organization for pop culture research, pointed out in a *2023* article, the rising debate around AI art is occurring at a time when the market for human art is larger and more important than ever, worth $65 billion USD . This raises anxiety for how the value of human art might change.
Third, it is important to reinforce our first claim. This is about value, originality, and economic opportunity. They argue artistic value evolves. However, the art field evolves at an extraordinary pace, with new tools and techniques constantly emerging. Any new skills developed to work with AI are likely to become obsolete very quickly, making it difficult for artists to adapt. As we have discussed, this reliance highlights that AI art isn't truly original. The innovation relies on human work, but easier access to AI art devalues unaided human creation by comparison. As *Matt Corrall*, an expert in the field of data science, argues, AI models are technically incapable of producing anything new because their view of the world is based entirely on the abstracted number set they were given . They can copy an artist's style or fake a photo with disturbing accuracy, but they cannot adapt, interpret, or imagine like a human being can.
In conclusion, they are missing the big picture. It's not about whether AI can create *something* that resembles art. It's about the long-term impact on human artists, their livelihoods, and the very value we place on human creativity. It seems there might be a misunderstanding of our argument by suggesting we believe AI can *never* create anything of merit. Our point is that it will lead to a decline in the overall value and appreciation of *human* creative arts.