Pen strokes or pixels? The great debate around AI in art
The debate around the use of AI in art continues to intensify, with proponents arguing for its innovative capabilities while detractors raise concerns about authenticity. Some argue that AI can enhance creativity by offering new tools and possibilities, while others fear it may diminish the human touch in artistic expression. As technology advances, the line between traditional pen strokes and digital pixels in art becomes increasingly blurred, sparking conversations about the future of creativity. The intersection of AI and art raises important questions about the role of technology in shaping the artistic landscape.
Once, in Japan, there lived a dreamer named Hayao Miyazaki. With a sketchbook in hand and many stories in his mind, he longed to create something that felt alive, something that could capture the magic hidden in everyday moments, tender emotions, and visually rich landscapes. Together with his friend Isao Takahata, Miyazaki founded Studio Ghibli.
Instead of the loud, flashy visuals that were popular in animation at that time, they created scenes with hand-drawn frames painted with soothing colours and minute details. Even a five-second animation can take around 100 artists an entire week to complete.
The Studio Ghibli Films
Movies made this way at the studio — like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service, Porco Rosso, Howl's Moving Castle, and The Wind Rises — didn’t take long to gain popularity, creating worlds that everyone wished to be part of.
Decades after its founding in 1985, Studio Ghibli has suddenly become a buzzword on social media. From Instagram to X, users are flooding timelines with Ghibli-style portraits, transforming their favourite memories into whimsical, hand-drawn scenes. The art style holds a special place in people’s hearts, especially those who grew up watching Japanese animation aired on DD, like The Jungle Book: Adventures of Mowgli, etc.
Debates on AI in Art
This surge in popularity follows OpenAI’s recent update to ChatGPT, introducing advanced image-generation capabilities that mimic the Ghibli aesthetic. While many admire it as a cute trend, others criticise the implications of AI-generated art and its impact on human creativity, sparking discussions about the intersection of technology and art.
In The Wind Rises, a single four-second hand-animated scene took one year and three months to complete. But now, with AI, anyone can recreate it with just a click.
According to Seby Sam, a teacher at an AI institute, multinational corporations are pushing for the right to use copyrighted content for AI training. “If these rights are granted, art and other copyrighted materials will lose their value. Again, it is an issue of capitalism. While it’s okay to use AI to create something new, copying someone’s work is unjust. Any content generated by copying should come with fair compensation to the original artists. Otherwise, it will be like destroying a person’s life and dreams that took years to build,” Seby asserts.
Art and Technology
Even in the early days of AI, its influence on art and human expression sparked debates. But the bigger question remains: Can technology really kill art, or is it just changing how we create and experience it?
Murali Cheeroth, Chairperson of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, believes that when an artist has imagination and a strong concept, technology can be a powerful tool. However, he warns that celebrating mediocrity could be a real concern.
Narayanankutty K, principal at the College of Fine Arts Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, shares a similar opinion about incorporating AI into art education.
AI and the Future of Art
As the conversation around AI and art evolves, one thing is clear: Technology is not the enemy. How we choose to use it will define the future of creativity.