Art and Artificial Intelligence

This Element presents an overview of the controversies raised by various answers to the question: can computers create art? The position taken on controversial issues will depend on assumptions made about the technology, about the nature and location of consciousness, and about art and creativity.

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The overriding question discussed in this Element can be stated simply as: can computers create art? This Element presents an overview of the controversies raised by various answers to this question. A major difficulty is that the technology is developing rapidly, and there are still many uncertainties and knowledge gaps as to what is possible today and in the near future. But a number of controversial issues are identified and discussed. The position taken on controversial issues will depend on assumptions made about the technology, about the nature and location of consciousness, about art and creativity. Therefore, a number of hypothetical answers are outlined, related to the assumptions made.