AI and Creativity: Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in Art

Hello, and welcome back to IntelligentPod! I’m your host, Sophie Lane, and I am so glad you’re joining me for another deep dive into the fascinating crossroads of technology, psychology, and modern life. Today’s episode is one I’ve been especially looking forward to, because it sits right at the intersection of art, innovation, and ethics—a place where the sparks really fly. We’re exploring “The Ethics of AI in Creative Fields: Co-creator or Competitor?” If you’ve ever marveled at an AI-generated painting, wondered about a song written by an algorithm, or considered the impact of language models on writing (hello!), then this discussion is absolutely for you. Let’s start by laying out the landscape. Artificial intelligence has been making headlines for years in fields like healthcare, finance, and logistics, but lately, its presence in creative domains—art, music, writing, even fashion design—has really exploded. You may have seen AI-created portraits selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars, automated music generators composing everything from pop hits to symphonies, or even AI models crafting poetry, prose, and scripts. In fact, according to a 2023 report from the World Economic Forum, creative fields are now among the fastest-growing areas for AI adoption. Forty-eight percent of surveyed companies in media and entertainment say they’re actively integrating AI tools—up from just 15 percent five years ago. That’s a seismic shift, and it’s changing not just how we create, but how we think about creativity itself. Now, the big question: Is AI a co-creator, expanding human potential and acting as an invaluable tool? Or is it a competitor, threatening to replace human artists, writers, and musicians? The answer, as you might guess, is complicated—and that’s what makes it so interesting. Let’s break it down with some real, relatable examples. Maybe you’ve played around with DALL-E or Midjourney to generate digital art, or maybe you’ve used ChatGPT to brainstorm story ideas or draft emails. These tools can save time, spark inspiration, and help us push past creative blocks. But they can also feel a bit uncanny—sometimes even unsettling. After all, if a machine can paint, write, or compose, what does that mean for the value of human creativity? To really understand the ethical puzzle, let’s zoom out and examine this from a few different perspectives: psychological, scientific, and cultural. First, the psychological angle. For centuries, creativity has been seen as a uniquely human trait—something that comes from our emotions, experiences, even our suffering. When AI enters the picture, it stirs up all sorts of feelings: excitement, curiosity, but also fear, jealousy, and anxiety. A 2022 survey from Adobe found that 61% of creative professionals worry that AI will devalue their work, while 68% are hopeful that it could help them become more productive or imaginative. So, there’s this push-pull between opportunity and threat. And it’s not just professionals: hobbyists and enthusiasts, too, are wondering where they fit in. I recently heard from a listener—let’s call her Emily—who uses AI to write poetry as a form of therapy. She told me, “It feels like I’m collaborating with a very smart, but sometimes unpredictable, friend. Sometimes the results are beautiful, sometimes odd, but it’s always interesting.” For Emily, AI is a co-creator, not a competitor. But not everyone feels that way. Let’s look at the scientific perspective next. How does AI actually “create”? Most modern creative AIs use a process called machine learning, where they’re trained on massive datasets—think millions of paintings, songs, or novels. They learn the patterns, styles, and structures, and then generate new content by remixing what they’ve absorbed. But here’s the thing: AI doesn’t “understand” art or music the way humans do. It doesn’t have emotions or intentions. Instead, it predicts what comes next, based on statistical likelihood. One academic study that really sticks with me comes from the University of Amsterdam in 2021. Researchers asked both experts and laypeople to judge paintings created by humans versus those generated by AI. The results? Most people couldn’t reliably tell the difference. However, when participants were told a work was made by AI, they rated it as less valuable—even if they liked it just as much. It’s a fascinating insight into how our perceptions influence our ethics. Finally, let’s consider the cultural perspective. Every new technology, from the camera to the synthesizer to Photoshop, has sparked debates about what counts as “real” art. In the 19th century, critics claimed photography would destroy painting. In the 1980s, digital sampling in music was dismissed as “cheating.” But over time, these tools were absorbed into the creative process, and new genres and styles emerged. Could AI be just the latest chapter in that long story? Of course, there are real concerns. Copyright is a huge issue. If an AI is trained on thousands of living artists’ works, does it amount to theft? Where do we draw the line between inspiration and imitation? There’s also the matter of transparency. Should creators have to disclose when they’ve used AI? And what about jobs—will AI replace human creatives, or just change what those jobs look like? Let’s pause for a moment and bring this into the real world with a quick anecdote. Last year, a digital artist named Jason Allen won first prize in a fine arts competition with a piece created using Midjourney, an AI art tool. When the judges found out, there was an uproar—some said it was innovative, others called it unethical. Jason argued that he spent weeks refining his prompts, editing outputs, and curating the final image. So, was he the artist, or was the AI? Or was it a collaboration? This brings us to what I think is the heart of the matter: intention and agency. AI can be a powerful tool, but it doesn’t replace the human spark—the vision, the emotional resonance, the ability to ask “why.” At least, not yet. So, where does that leave us? What can we, as creators, consumers, and citizens, do to navigate this brave new world? I want to share a few practical tips and ethical guidelines for working with AI in creative fields: First, embrace transparency. If you’re using AI in your creative process, consider being upfront about it. This builds trust with your audience and helps demystify the technology. You don’t have to give away all your secrets, but a little honesty goes a long way. Second, treat AI as a collaborator, not a replacement. Use it to spark new ideas, overcome creative blocks, or handle repetitive tasks—but don’t let it do all the work for you. The most compelling art, writing, and music still comes from a place of human experience. Third, educate yourself about copyright and fair use. If you’re training your own AI models or using datasets, make sure you have the right to use those materials. Respect the work of others, and look for open-source or public-domain resources when possible. Fourth, advocate for ethical guidelines in your field. Whether you’re a writer, artist, designer, or musician, join the conversation about how AI should—and shouldn’t—be used. Professional organizations are starting to draft codes of conduct, but it’s up to all of us to shape the future. And finally, stay curious. AI is evolving rapidly, and there will be missteps, surprises, and breakthroughs along the way. By approaching new tools with a spirit of experimentation, rather than fear, we can harness their potential without losing sight of what makes us uniquely human. So, to recap: The rise of AI in creative fields poses fascinating ethical questions. Is it a co-creator or a competitor? The answer depends on how we use it, how we value human creativity, and how we adapt to change. There are real challenges around copyright, transparency, and job security—but also incredible opportunities for innovation and collaboration. As we wrap up today’s episode, I want to leave you with a reflective thought: Technology has always reshaped the creative landscape, but it’s the choices we make—individually and collectively—that determine whether those changes enrich our lives or diminish them. AI is a tool, but meaning comes from us. Thank you so much for joining me on IntelligentPod today. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review wherever you listen—it really helps others discover the show. For show notes, links to the studies I mentioned, and more resources on AI and creativity, visit intelligentpod.com. And remember, I love hearing from you! Email me your thoughts, questions, or stories at sophie@intelligentpod.com. Until next time, stay curious, stay creative, and keep asking the big questions. I’m Sophie Lane, and this is IntelligentPod.