The Future of Commercial Art in the Age of AI: A Deep Dive
In an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming creative industries, the intersection of AI and commercial art presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. Based on insights from Visual Education's "Learn, Create, Thrive" podcast, featuring perspectives from photographers, illustrators, video editors, and marketing executives, let's explore how AI is reshaping the creative landscape.
The Rise of AI-Generated Content
The creative world was recently stunned by OpenAI's Sora, which represents a quantum leap in AI capabilities - producing hyper-realistic videos from simple text prompts. This development, alongside existing AI image generators, raises fundamental questions about the future of visual content creation. In the film industry, we're already seeing AI being used to de-age actors in productions like The Lord of the Rings, suggesting similar applications could soon become commonplace in advertising.
Impact on Traditional Creative Fields
The emergence of AI tools is sending ripples through various creative sectors:
Photography and Visual Arts:
Stock photography faces significant disruption as AI can generate generic images instantly
Fashion photography appears particularly vulnerable, with AI already creating photorealistic models and clothing
Artists like Helen Breznik are pioneering new forms of AI-generated fashion imagery on social media
Voice and Audio: AI voiceovers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, potentially replacing human voice talent in commercial productions. This raises questions about authenticity and emotional connection in brand communications.
The Copyright Conundrum
The legal landscape is becoming increasingly complex, exemplified by Getty Images' lawsuit against AI companies. The fundamental question remains: who owns the rights to AI-generated content that learns from existing artistic works? This uncertainty creates challenges for businesses and creators alike.
The Human Element in an AI World
Perhaps the most intriguing development is the emerging countermovement to AI-generated content. As AI perfection becomes commonplace, there's a growing appreciation for human imperfection and authenticity. This phenomenon mirrors the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi - finding beauty in imperfection.
What Makes Human Creativity Unique:
Emotional depth and cultural understanding
Personal experiences that inform creative decisions
The ability to tell authentic, relatable stories
Natural imperfections that create genuine connections
Looking Forward: Implications for Businesses
For businesses navigating this changing landscape, several key considerations emerge:
Authenticity will become increasingly valuable as AI perfection becomes commonplace
Behind-the-scenes content and raw, unfiltered material may gain more importance
The human element in branding will become a key differentiator
Businesses must balance AI efficiency with maintaining genuine human connections
The Path Forward
The future of commercial art isn't about choosing between AI and human creativity - it's about finding the right balance. While AI tools can enhance efficiency and expand creative possibilities, the human touch remains irreplaceable for creating meaningful connections with audiences.
As we move forward, the key will be using AI responsibly and ethically, in ways that enhance rather than replace human creativity. The most successful businesses will be those that leverage AI's capabilities while preserving and highlighting their human elements.
The transformation of commercial art through AI isn't just a technological shift - it's a fundamental reimagining of creativity itself. As we navigate this new landscape, maintaining authenticity while embracing innovation will be crucial for success in the evolving creative industry.
Based on insights from Is A.I. the End of Creativity? On Karl Taylor’s Learn, Create, Thrive Podcast, hosted by VisualEducation.com.
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All right, let's dive in. We're tackling AI and the future of commercial art today. You guys asked for it, so we're bringing it.
Should be interesting for sure.
We're dissecting a podcast uh Learn, Create, Thrive.
Okay.
By Visual Education. They had a photographer, an illustrator, a video editor, and a marketing exec all chiming in. So, like the whole spectrum of how AI is changing the creative game. Yeah.
Especially I think for us in advertising and marketing, you know, it's not just robots taking pictures. Oh yeah, way bigger than that. It's changing how we define creativity.
Exactly. And what it even means to create art.
That's the thing, right? The whole landscape is shifting.
Okay. So, first thing that blew my mind, OpenAI, Sora.
Sora.
Remember those AI image generators?
Yeah, of course. Everyone's using those.
Well, Sora is making videos now.
Oh, wow.
Hyper realistic like nature documentary level stuff.
So, you're saying like for businesses making video content, that's a whole new ball game.
Absolutely. What are the possibilities? But also, But what are the problems?
Huge implications. Like, how do we even know what's real anymore?
It's scary, right? And what does that mean for building trust with your audience when they don't know what to believe?
Huge question.
And speaking of blurred lines, they talked about AI being used to deage actors in the new Lord of the Rings film.
I did see that. Yeah.
Do you think that's coming to advertising, too?
Probably inevitable. Imagine deaging brand ambassadors.
Whoa. Or creating entirely virtual ones.
Exactly. And then it's not just visuals, right? The podcast talked about AI voiceovers becoming indistinguishable from humans.
Oh, yeah. That's a good one for the advertising world.
Huge. What happens to voiceover artists?
I know it's kind of concerning. But for businesses, it could mean cheaper voiceovers, easier access.
Sure. But will consumers buy it? I mean, will they respond to a robot voice the same way they do to a human?
Totally. And what does that mean for a brand's personality?
Right. That human touch. Can a robot voice really capture that?
It's making made me rethink what real even means in marketing.
It's a whole new world.
And that brings us to the legal side, the copyright chaos.
Yeah, that's a minefield.
They talked about Getty Images lawsuit against those AI companies.
Right. Right. Because if AI learns from existing images, who owns the copyright?
Exactly. It's a mess. And now AI can make images from basic prompts.
I know. So then what even is creativity?
Right. If a computer can do it from a text prompt, is that art? It really challenges our understanding of what it means to be a creator.
And the podcast also mentioned how humanmade art is all about the artist's style, their process. AI doesn't have that,
right? It's lacking that personal touch. And for businesses, that's important.
Absolutely. You know, a brand is more than a logo.
Oh, for sure. It's the values, the story, the unique approach. Can AI capture all of that?
That's the question. Can it really reflect the essence of your brand the way a human can?
A big question.
Okay, so now let's look at how AI is impacting the creative industry as a whole. It seems like ad agencies are jumping on this pretty quickly.
Makes sense. They're always looking for ways to cut costs.
True. Always under pressure. Got to be efficient. But the question is, how do we use these AI tools without like disrespecting the talent out there,
right? How do we keep the human element, the creativity
and make sure brands stay unique?
Because the podcast also talked about stock photography. AI is already impacting that
yeah I can just churn out those generic images
and that used to be the bread and butter for so many photographers.
So where does that leave them?
It's a wakeup call. What happens to human creativity when AI can do the easy stuff?
Exactly. What's the value then?
It's almost like every brand will end up looking the same if we just rely on AI.
That homogenization is a real concern.
It's kind of unsettling. Like AI could devalue all those skills that make a brand stand out.
And that's why businesses need to be even smarter about branding now. Yeah, if AI can just copy generic styles, the human touch becomes even more important.
Absolutely. The unique story, the realness of your brand, that's what will stand out.
It's almost like AI is making those imperfections, that individuality, even more valuable.
You're right. It's like we're entering this new era where those things are what we'll crave.
They actually brought up some interesting historical context on the podcast. They were saying, you know, photography, Photoshop, CGI, those all cause disruption, too.
Of course. Yeah.
But this time It feels different.
It does. And I think it's because AI isn't just another tool.
It's like a whole different way of thinking about creating.
Exactly. And consuming content. It's a paradigm shift. Not just doing things faster or cheaper.
It's redefining what it means to be creative
and how we relate to art and technology.
This is a lot to process. For all those business owners out there, how do you use these AI tools while still respecting creative talent
and keeping your brand's identity?
That's a big question
and there's no easy answer,
but it's a question we all need to be asking
as AI becomes more and more a part of our lives, our businesses.
Yeah. It's not going away.
So, we got to figure it out.
We do.
It's not just the creative world, though, right?
AI's impact goes way beyond that.
Oh, absolutely. It's everywhere. Any industry that uses data, any industry that has tasks that can be automated, AI is going to touch it.
Like they talked about architecture, engineering, accounting, even customer service.
And think about it for business owners. This isn't just something happening over there in the creative world. This is coming for everyone.
Yeah. Eventually, AI is going to be part of every business in some way.
Sooner rather than later, I think. And the podcast, you know, they didn't shy away from the big questions either.
Yeah. Like the robot takeover stuff.
Exactly. Like what if AI and robotics really do lead to a future where robots are doing most of the jobs?
Yeah. It's a scary thought. What happens to the workforce then to society?
And those are the questions. that businesses need to be thinking about even if it seems far off like okay what happens to your customer base if there's widespread job displacement
right or what happens to the economy as a whole
it's about seeing the bigger picture AI doesn't just impact one little area it ripples out
it's like we're standing on the edge of this massive shift
and businesses need to be ready to adapt but you know amidst all that doom and gloom talk there was a really interesting point about a potential counter movement
oh yeah
yeah they were saying there's this growing consumer desire for raw and authentic content
like as a backlash against all the AI generated stuff.
Exactly. Like people are craving the human touch again, the imperfections, the real stories that AI can't quite replicate.
That's so interesting. So you're saying like for businesses that's actually an opportunity,
a huge one. Think about it. In a world where AI can create the perfect image, write the perfect script, it's the authenticity, the human element that becomes even more valuable.
Okay. So, how do you actually do that? Like, how do you showcase that?
They had some good examples on the podcast like influencer marketing and behind-the-scenes content,
right? People want to see the real stuff, the unfiltered human side of a brand.
It's about connecting on a human level, building that trust, showing that there are actual people behind the brand with feelings and experiences.
That's powerful. So, instead of seeing AI as like a threat to authenticity, you can use it to highlight what makes your brand uniquely human. Exactly. Flip the script. And then they had this really interesting prediction about fashion photography being especially vulnerable to disruption from AI.
Why fashion photography?
Well, it's all about visual perfection, right?
Yeah. And that often comes with a hefty price tag.
Exactly. So, it's ripe for AI takeover. Imagine a world where AI can not only create photorealistic models and clothing, but also recreate any location, any lighting.
Oh, wow.
And any style, and do it all for a fraction of the cost. That's kind of mind-blowing.
It is. And it's probably closer than we think. And they even talked about this artist, Helen Breznik.
I think I've heard of her.
She's creating these hyper realistic AI fashion images on Instagram. Like the stuff is amazing. It's like a glimpse into the future.
So, what happens to photographers then? Models, stylists, the whole industry.
That's the point, right? AI's impact goes beyond just replacing jobs. It can completely reshape industries. And it's a reminder that this isn't just a fashion industry problem,
right? Every business needs to be thinking about Exactly. So the question is what can we learn from this? How do we apply these lessons to our own industries?
Okay. So what are the takeaways then?
I think the biggest thing is adaptability. Be ready for change. Anticipate how AI might shake things up in your industry.
Be proactive.
Yes. Ask yourself what are the most expensive or time consuming parts of my business?
Okay.
And could AI streamline those? Automate them. And then the big one, how do you leverage AI? while still keeping that human element that makes your brand special.
Yeah, that's the balancing act.
That podcast really got me thinking about all of this, not just for commercial art, but like the future of work in general.
Me, too. It's like AI is forcing us to rethink our whole relationship with technology.
What does it even mean to be human when machines can do so much?
It's a weird time, right? Exciting and a little scary.
A lot of uncertainty,
but also so much potential. And you know, it's on us as business owners, as humans, to shape that future
to make sure AI is used for good
to make sure it benefits everyone.
That's a great point. Okay, so wrapping up our AI deep dive here. I keep coming back to this question from the podcast. If AI can seemingly just, you know, copy creativity,
what even makes humanmade stuff special?
Yeah, it's a big one, especially for businesses that really rely on branding, creative marketing, that human touch.
It's like what's the difference? What makes us human? You know, can AI really capture that?
I don't think so. At least not yet. It can make a pretty picture, write a catchy tagline, maybe even compose a jingle, but can it really get at that that human experience like a real artist can?
Right? That's what I'm struggling with. Like, is it about emotion,
storytelling? What is it that AI can't grasp?
I think it's a lot of things, honestly. It's that humans, we bring like a whole lifetime of experiences to our work. Emotions, you know, cultural understanding.
AI doesn't have that.
No. Like, think about how a good ad can make you laugh or cry or feel inspired. AI can analyze data, but it can't really understand the human heart, the things that actually make us connect.
That's a good point. It can predict what we might like, but it doesn't really get us.
Exactly. And I think that's the opportunity for businesses. As AI gets better and better, it's that human element that becomes even more important.
So, it's about being more human, not less.
Yeah. Show the passion, the values, the real people behind your product. That's what will make you stand. stand out.
Okay. So, instead of trying to be perfect like AI, maybe the key is to actually lean into what makes us human.
I like that. And the podcast, they even touched on this. Like there's a real desire for that raw authentic content now.
It's like a reaction to all this AI perfection, right?
Yeah. People want to see the mess, the realness, the proof that a real person made this.
So, if AI can make anything perfect, maybe it's the imperfections that become valuable.
It's a really interesting way to look at it. There's that Japanese idea wabishabi, you know, finding beauty and the imperfect, the impermanent.
Oh, I like that.
Maybe that's what will stand out in this AI world, that human touch, that wobbishabi.
It makes you wonder, is there a point where AI is too perfect and we just like crave that humanness?
I don't know. It's a big question. But I think for now, the human element, the story behind your brand, that's key.
And don't forget, check out Helen Breznik on Instagram. Her handle's Helen Breznik.
Oh, yeah. I'll have to look her up.
Her AI fashion stuff is amazing. So, any final thoughts for our listeners, especially those business owners trying to figure out this whole AI thing.
I'd say experiment. You know, embrace the possibilities, but don't lose sight of what makes your brand human. Connect with your audience. Tell your story.
Beautifully said. This has been a wild ride, this AI deep dive. It's definitely here to stay.
It is.
But as we move forward, let's use it responsibly, ethically, in a way that makes us more creative, not less.
I agree. The future of AI is up to us.
Well said. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into AI and the future of commercial art. Hope this got you thinking. It
was a pleasure.
Until next time.
