Exponential growth shapes the rapidly-changing world of Artificial Intelligence over the last half-decade. For college students, AI usage has become a standard. Roughly 86% of college students utilize AI, whether that be ChatGPT, Grammarly or Microsoft Copilot.
AI has sparked many resulting conversations about the future of humanity, whether this technology will impact us in a positive or negative manner. One controversial use of AI is in art production, alongside claims that it has made art accessible for those living with disabilities.
The idea that AI art is “accessible” originates from able-bodied individuals who simply cannot speak on behalf of the disabled community — especially without the input and feedback of people living with disabilities.
Generative AI scours hundreds of thousands of online images, many of which are art, and instantaneously generates an image to fit the user’s input to produce “original” digital art. Many times users ask for a specific art style, such as “Studio Ghibli,” directly copying an artist’s style without permission or consent, leading to complex copyright issues for the actual artists.
While some claim this enables artistic expression for those experiencing disabilities, Kaitlyn Potts, a third-year political science and electric wheelchair user, disagrees with this claim.
“I find that saying that these generated images that [AI] makes are accessible to people with physical limitations implies that they can’t make art,” said Potts. “Physical disabilities and neurological disabilities and even mental stuff can cause setbacks, make [art] harder, but it just leads to creative solutions.”
As long as art has existed, artists with disabilities have also existed. Michelangelo, the infamous Sistine Chapel painter, had osteoarthritis and yet continued to create as it progressed. Chuck Close, who singlehandedly reinvigorated the art of portrait painting through his gridwork and abstraction, would tape a paintbrush to his wrist after he became paralyzed from a stroke in order to continue painting.
“When it comes to AI art or AI generative images, I don’t think they [able-bodied people] have a say on whether it’s accessible or not, because only disabled people know if something’s actually accessible or not,” said Potts.
In addition to AI being touted as an artistic outlet for people with disabilities, it has been stated to be more accessible to people who deem themselves as “bad” at art, problematically suggesting people with disabilities are in this category.
“Everything can be done, in terms of art, with just simple practice,” Potts said. “If you try to make art, you’re making art, even if it’s just a basic stick figure or some letters, [it’s] still art. At least it’s human-made, and not just a bunch of code from stolen artwork.”
Potts said that as an artist, it is impossible to consider AI art to be real art. By definition, art is human-made. While yes, the basis for AI art is human-made pieces, the result is a computer-generated, completely unoriginal series of pixels based upon actual artwork. AI generated visuals are untouched by human hands and therefore should not be considered real art, let alone art that is more accessible for disabled people.
While AI continues to advance in leagues day by day, we should as a collective understand that this technology is incredibly powerful and has immense potential to benefit people when used appropriately.
For individuals with disabilities, the future of AI and technology in general has already become intertwined within their daily lives.
“And, you know, we rely on technology a lot as disabled people, so whatever happens in terms of AI is definitely going to impact us, because we almost have to have some sort of technology — whether it’s an electric wheelchair, like I do, or a basic cane,” said Potts.
Addressing both the dangers and benefits of AI is crucial when it comes to making decisions about using programs such as ChatGPT.
Understanding that AI art is not accessible to people with disabilities invalidates pro-AI art arguments. We as a collective must strive for human-made art, promote all artists — both disabled and able-bodied — and understand first and foremost that AI art is not beneficial to us.
