AESTHETICS REVIVAL BASED ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Aghakishiyeva Tahmina

PhD, Associate Professor

Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of

Azerbaijan National Academy of Science

AESTHETICS REVIVAL BASED ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Abstract. The article deals with the influence of the development of artificial intelligence technology on contemporary art. The authors describe technologies and give examples of their use in various fields of art. The possibilities of attribution, restoration, and creation of works of art using artificial intelligence are discussed.

Keywords: artificial intelligence, painter, creativity, neural networks, modern art.

Introduction. Every day, information technology becomes an increasingly important factor in scientific and technological progress, changing the entire way of life, where intelligence and knowledge play the main role. As a result, humanity found itself in a new scientific and technological revolution associated with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. According to Nick Bostrom, a Swedish philosopher and one of the recognized experts in AI, “the creation of strong artificial intelligence evokes both interest and concern among many people. This is especially evident in popular culture, where images of hostile AIs seeking to destroy humanity are portrayed in films such as Terminator and The Matrix” [1, p.8]. One of the key arguments against AI is the risk of mass replacement of human labor by machines, which will lead to increased unemployment, social tensions, etc. “Going back to the early 1800s, during the First Industrial Revolution, the Luddites in the northwest of England responded to the advent of power looms by smashing them. They realized that their jobs making cloths were at risk. And it turned out they were right: the machines did take their jobs. The same thing happened in agriculture. In the early 1800s, while the Luddites were smashing looms, 80 percent of the working population in the United States worked on the land. Today, less than 2% of the US workforce is employed in agriculture” [2, p.32]. In fact, for centuries, people have worried about new machines and their impact on the future of humans. As the saying goes, machines change, but worries remain the same. “At the beginning of the Second Industrial Revolution, the steam engine made mechanization possible, and experts were seriously concerned that 'replacing human labor with machines” could “displace people from production.” When assembly lines made mass production possible, economist John Maynard Keynes warned of widespread unemployment “because the discovery of economical uses of labor outpaces the discovery of new uses of labor” [2, p.33]. Different areas of AI research are centered around specific goals and the use of specific tools. To achieve their goals, AI researchers have adapted and integrated a wide range of methods, including search and mathematical optimization, formal logic, artificial neural networks, and methods based on statistics, operations research, economics, etc. “Artificial intelligence also draws on psychology, linguistics, philosophy, neuroscience, and other fields” [3, p.6].

It should be emphasized that the current state of AI research is a fairly developed scientific field, characterized by the fact that art historians, architects, designers, artists, etc. also address this topic. Tools belonging to the field of technology have the strongest impact on a man, are most significant in the process of self-expression and the formation of his personality. For technology to actively contribute to personal formation and the comprehensive development of the individual, it is now time to endow it with aesthetic content. Scientists ask the question: Can a machine think? Can a machine with AI be considered a subject of cognition, or can only a person be a subject? How does natural intelligence differ from AI? One more question can be added to these tasks: Can AI or digital technologies revive the aesthetics of technology? “The emergence of artificial intelligence will probably be the most significant event in the history of the human species,” writes transhumanist philosopher Zoltan Istvan (p. 1973). “The idea, of course, is not to allow artificial intelligence to develop unchecked, outside our field of vision, but to become cyborgs ourselves, partly machines, to connect directly to artificial intelligence when necessary” [4, p.95].

Problem Statement. In the modern world, AI plays a significant role in both art and creativity. The role of AI in the creation of works of art is becoming increasingly significant, and this opens up a new world, new perspectives for artists and art creators. One of the most noticeable ways in which AI influences art is its ability to analyze data and create a synthesis of new ideas and concepts. AI can analyze thousands of works of art and then generate new ones based on the learned styles and elements. AI also helps in automatic error correction, image quality improvement, and even in the restoration of lost or damaged works of art. However, in addition to all its advantages, the use of AI in art raises certain questions and challenges. Some artists and critics fear that AI can replace the human creative process and reduce the value of art created by people. There are also questions about copyright regarding works of art created by AI. Delving deeper and deeper into these issues, we can conclude that, in general, AI can play a significant role in the art world, enriching it with new ideas, styles, and techniques. It provides artists and designers with a powerful tool to express their creativity and opens up new opportunities for exploration and creation. On the other hand, scientists believe that AI can't completely replace human creativity and inspiration. It can be a tool and a means, but art remains an expressive and moral act that depends on human uniqueness, emotions, and experience. Creativity associated with deep feelings, philosophy, and spirituality remains beyond the reach of machines.

Moreover, the issues of ethics and authorship are becoming increasingly relevant in the context of using AI in art. The author of the research work claims that both today and in the future, there will be concerns and experiences about AI. But the question is, who is the author of AI, digital technologies? Of course, a person. An interesting paradox - we create ourselves and at the same time we make our own claims against this creation. Thus, we can conclude that if a person is an inventor, then no matter what, that person will always be at the center of any sphere developed by AI. Naturally, without threats, without flaws can't do, as this is manifested in modern technologies, and has manifested itself and is manifested in all traditional areas.

Of course, it is interesting - Who will be the author of a work of art created with the help of AI? What rights and responsibilities are associated with such works? These questions require discussion and development, appropriate mandatory and ethical decisions. The author of the work believes that in any case, the answers to these questions will be emphasized in the course of action. It is important to note that art, which has existed for over 30 thousand years, is one of the most ancient triumphs of human consciousness, a unique expression of the thought and creative process that is subject to man. And comparatively recently, technology has been introduced into this process - AI, which imitates human thinking, producing a stream of unique images. And the new form of art expands the boundaries of the concept of creativity and how fine art can be created.

For example, the exhibition of the Azerbaijani contemporary artist Orkhan Mammadov, based on AI and non-fungible tokens (NFT). This exhibition-show made a sensation in the United States. The exhibition "Revival of Aesthetics" was organized by the digital art company Blackdove in one of the leading exhibition salons of the US city, to which famous collectors from New York and around the world were invited, and, at the same time, 9 works of art by the artist were presented. In "Revival of Aesthetics", the artist transferred Azerbaijani carpets to the modern era. In addition, "Revival of Aesthetics" brought new carpets to life, expanding the framework of the "living" tradition. “In the works presented at the exhibition, Mammadov creates a unity between heritage and modernity by combining Azerbaijani carpets, which are a symbol of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage and are mentioned in the Book of Dede Gorgut, the most famous Central Asian epic of the Oghuz Turks dating back to the eighth century, with the latest technological innovation of our time, artificial intelligence” [7, web]. The exhibition was very special as it was one of the first successful attempts to merge cultural heritage with machine algorithms. In his new type of art, the artist creates a dialogue between the rapidly disappearing cultural heritage and the spread of digital cultures, and demonstrates the known and unknown aspects of the new art form. In one of his exclusive interviews with the Turkish pro-government newspaper “Daily Sabah”, the artist noted: “We call this kind of art “new media art”. It is a kind of traditional art using unique technologies. The field I work in is AI and it uses codes or algorithms. The works shown in my last exhibition were created by AI using 150,000 Azerbaijani carpets. They were analyzed by the computer and common values were identified. Then I created new alternatives based on them. With my show, I want to show our culture and carpets around the world. The next stops for the exhibition are London and Moscow. Delving into “Renaissance of Aesthetics” by showing the first carpets of the metaverse, the show aims to bring the oriental heritage to the digital realm.” In his work, the artist gives new meaning to patterns, merging their traditional association with machine algorithms. An Azerbaijani artist, using modern AI algorithms, processed tens of thousands of images of traditional Azerbaijani carpets and kilims, which are symbols of the country's cultural heritage stored in our museums, and combined sketches of these carpets with the latest modern technological algorithm with AI.

Using modern AI algorithms, the artist managed to create new, limitless combinations based on their similarities. According to the artist: “The presented works reflect not only carpet patterns, but also other national values ​​​​of our country. The demonstrated aesthetic symbols include images of Gobustan rocks, Islamic patterns on carpets and monuments, miniatures of Azerbaijani literature and music” [8, web]. As it turned out, in contemporary art, the main task is to surprise the audience, make them think about something and look at it in a new way. In many works of art, the artist gives the viewer room for reflection and interpretation, offering to see their own meanings and ideas in the work. That is why most of today's exhibitions seem incomprehensible to many, and the exhibits are sometimes so simple that even a schoolchild can repeat them. Today, a trend towards digitalization has formed in art: artists experiment with neural networks, create virtual worlds, turn their works into NFT tokens and sell them around the world without leaving home. “While some are looking at the new tool with distrust, others are actively using it. In 2022, artist Jason Allen presented a painting created in collaboration with artificial intelligence at the Colorado Fine Arts Competition. His work “Space Opera Theater” won first place in the digital art category and caused a lot of controversy about copyright and who should be considered the creator of the work” [9, web]. The author of the work believes that in this case, the author should be considered the artist himself, since he is the one who puts forward the idea, he is the one who connects modern AI algorithms to the world of his works, and AI simply corrects, modernizes the presented creativity without complexity. And of course, as a result, the computerization of art is enhanced by generative neural networks that can create images on demand.

Moreover, AI not only collaborates with artists, creating new works and offering updated ideas, but it can also identify fakes that flood the art market. Neural networks are now acting as a tool with which it is possible to create unusual works that can already be classified as art, because a person will participate in this creative process. It is undeniable that AI is developing, approaching human capabilities or even surpassing them. Nick Bostrom elaborates that such a superintelligent system would surpass human capabilities in areas including scientific creativity, general wisdom, and social skills [1, p.15].

All of this raises the question: What is the future of AI in relation to contemporary art? Will the professions of designer and artist become a thing of the past? Different experts have different opinions on these issues. Russian artist Anastasia Nikolaeva-Berg noted: “I hope that technology will not become a tool for devaluing the artist’s work” [9, web]. American journalist, futurologist and co-founder of Wired magazine Kevin Kelly noted in one of his articles: “Artificial intelligence can now make better art than most humans” [10, web].

Conclusion. In conclusion, it is important to emphasize that AI plays a diverse role in the art world, expanding its boundaries and inspiring artists to new creative expressions. However, human creativity remains an integral part of art, and it is important to find a balance between the use of AI and preserving the uniqueness of human-created art. People who have a fundamental artistic education, possess knowledge, talent, and the ability to see beauty, can ethically use AI, since this machine is an excellent assistant for professionals. “In principle, Artificial Intelligence includes computer systems and all phenomena associated with processing and obtaining results based on fuzzy and non-specific information, ideas associated with the use of knowledge and its collection, that is, processes called replacing the functions of human intelligence” [5, p.22]. In a word, we are on the threshold of global changes in all aspects. Turning to the works and statements of such scientists as Ilham Mammadzada, Nick Bostrom, Stuart Jonathan Russell, Clifford Pickover, and others, make us think about many similar questions, such as: What will happen if machines surpass people in intelligence? Will AI be able to subjugate humanity? Will robots put people out of work? What ethical issues are associated with the use of AI? etc.

It is worth noting that, despite the fact that the history of the development of information technology suggests that very soon robots – machines – will work at an extremely high pace, of course, the future will not be determined by technology alone. “It makes more sense to consider them in the context of other significant social and environmental problems, such as population aging, climate change, and resource depletion. It is often predicted that in fact, in the future, when the aging of the post-war baby boom generation leads to a reduction in the economically active population, we will have to deal with a labor shortage problem that will negate – or even eclipse – any effects of automation” [6, p. 21].

References:

1. Bostrom, N. (2016). Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. [translated by S. Filina] / Moscow: Publishing House "Mann, Ivanov and Ferber", 2016. 496 p. (in Russian)

2. Malcolm, F., Roehrig, P., Pring, B. (2019). What To Do When Machines Do Everything: How to Get Ahead in a World of AI, Algorithms, Bots, and Big Data // [translated by I.B. Savin] / Moscow: "Eksmo" 2019, 320 p. Ill. (In Russian)

3. Russell, S., Norvig, P. (2021). Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach / 4th Edition, Pearson Education.

4. Pickover, C. (2021). Artificial Intelligence: An Illustrated History: From Medieval Robots to Neural Networks / Moscow: Sindbad Publishing House. 224 p. (in Russian).

5. Mammadzada, I., Abbasov, A. and others (2022). Modern philosophy, artificial intelligence and fuzzy logic. Baku: “Elm ve Tehsil”, 364 p. (Məmmədzadə İ., Abbasov Ə., Əli Abasov, Qurbanov F., Bünyatov A. Müasir fəlsəfə, süni intellekt və qeyri-səlis məntiq, in Azerbaijani).

6. Ford, M. (2019). Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future / [translated by Sergey Chernin]. Moscow: Alpina non-fiction, 572 p. (In Russian).

7. Artificial intelligence showed all the beauty of Azerbaijani carpets / January 31, 2022 // URL: https://news.day.az/culture/1431564.html (In Russian).

8. An exhibition of an Azerbaijani artist opened in New York / January 28, 2022. URL: https://report.az/ru/kulturnaya-politika/v-nyu-jorke-otkrylas-vystavka-azerbajdzhanskogo-hudozhnika/ (In Russian).

9. Art versus artificial intelligence: what will happen to artists? / August 18, 2024 // URL: https://siriusmag.ru/articles/2677-iskusstvo-protiv-iskusstvennogo-intellekta-cto-budet-s-hudoznikami/ (In Russian).

10. Artificial intelligence transforms contemporary art // URL: https://msca.ru/blog/articles/kak-iskusstvennyy-intellekt-transformiruet-sovremennoe-iskusstvo (In Russian).