We Are The Art | Brandon Sanderson’s Keynote Speech

Summary

In this thought-provoking reflection, Brandon Sanderson tackles the question of what defines art, particularly in the context of AI-generated works. He explores the debate sparked by Roger Ebert's claim that video games can't be considered art, and extends this discussion to AI's role in creative fields like music and writing. Sanderson argues that while AI can produce impressive works, it misses the transformative, personal journey of growth that humans experience through creation. He contends that art is defined by the process, not just the product, and that humans must continue to define what art truly is in the face of advancing technology.

Takeaways

• 😀 Roger Ebert's infamous claim that 'video games can never be art' sparked widespread debate about the nature of art and the role of video games in the artistic world.
• 😀 Ebert argued that games focus on mechanics and winning, making them commercially driven rather than artistic in nature.
• 😀 While many disagree with Ebert, his critique still raises important questions about what constitutes art and why we create it.
• 😀 The rise of AI-generated art, including music and writing, challenges traditional notions of art and pushes society to reconsider its definition.
• 😀 AI can now generate content (like songs and written passages) that can be indistinguishable from human-made works, leading to discomfort among artists like Brandon Sanderson.
• 😀 Despite the ability of AI to produce art-like results, Sanderson argues that AI art lacks the personal transformation that human creators undergo during the artistic process.
• 😀 Art is more about the journey and the process of creation than the final product, and AI, as a tool, misses the emotional growth that comes with creating art.
• 😀 Historical resistance to new forms of artistic expression (e.g., photography, film) shows that skepticism towards new technologies is a recurring theme in the arts.
• 😀 The story of John Henry, the steel driver who fought against a steam-powered drill, is used to illustrate the human spirit's resilience, but also the inevitability of technological progress.
• 😀 Sanderson draws a distinction between human-made art and AI-generated content, emphasizing that creating art is a personal growth process, not just producing a product.
• 😀 The ultimate purpose of art is to change and transform the creator, not merely to produce something useful. AI, despite its ability to create art-like products, cannot undergo this transformative process.

Q & A

What was Roger Ebert's infamous claim about video games?

Roger Ebert claimed that 'Video games can never be art.' This statement sparked a major debate in the gaming community about the artistic value of video games.

How did Roger Ebert define his argument about video games and art?

Ebert argued that video games are primarily focused on mechanics and winning, which makes them inherently commercial and not art. He believed that while games might contain artistic elements like digital paintings, their main purpose is to overcome obstacles and achieve victory, which prevents them from being considered art.

Why does the speaker disagree with Roger Ebert’s view on video games?

The speaker disagrees with Ebert because they believe that the mechanics of video games themselves can be a form of art. Additionally, the speaker argues that video games allow for unique storytelling through the interaction of gameplay mechanics and narrative, something that can't be achieved in any other medium.

How has the rise of AI art influenced the speaker's views on art?

The rise of AI art has prompted the speaker to reflect on the nature of art and its creation. While the speaker is concerned about the economic and environmental impact of AI, they are more troubled by how AI art shifts the focus to the product rather than the process of creation. This has led the speaker to question what art truly means and why humans create it.

What is the significance of the 'Walk My Walk' song in the context of AI art?

'Walk My Walk' is an AI-generated song that topped Billboard's digital country charts. Its success made people question the value of AI-created art, as the song was indistinguishable from human-made music, raising concerns about the authenticity and emotional connection in AI-created works.

How did Mark Lawrence's AI writing experiment affect people's perception of AI?

Mark Lawrence conducted an experiment where AI generated passages were compared to those written by human authors. The results revealed that many people couldn't distinguish between the AI-written passages and those created by well-known authors, highlighting the increasing sophistication of AI and raising questions about its role in art and literature.

What is the significance of the John Henry story in relation to AI?

The story of John Henry, an American folk hero who challenged a steam-powered drill, is used as a metaphor for the human struggle against machines. While John Henry won the contest, he died from exhaustion, illustrating that humans may lose the battle against machines, but they prove their worth in the struggle. The speaker reflects on this story as they confront the rise of AI art, suggesting that while humans may eventually be replaced by machines, we can still define the value of art.

What does the speaker believe is the difference between AI-generated art and human-created art?

The speaker believes the key difference is the process. AI can produce art, but it doesn't undergo the process of growth or learning that human creators do. Humans engage with their creations emotionally, and the journey of creation is what shapes them as artists, while AI lacks this personal transformation.

How does the speaker view Oscar Wilde's perspective on art?

The speaker references Oscar Wilde’s view that art is 'useless' and argues that the value of art lies not in its utility or commercial success, but in the intrinsic need to create. For the speaker, the process of creation itself, and the transformation it brings to the creator, is what gives art its true meaning.

Why does the speaker reject AI-generated art, despite its potential quality?

The speaker rejects AI-generated art because it focuses on the product rather than the process of creation. While AI can produce high-quality works, it does not experience the personal growth that human artists undergo during the creative process. For the speaker, this personal journey is essential to the value of art.