Washington Debates AI Art After Vendor Removed from Con

AI Art (art created using artificial intelligence) was sold at a recent vendor event that upset a lot of people. We have that story below, and after that, we'd like your input, so please take our poll and let us know your thoughts.

AI Art at DragonCon Sparks Debate

DragonCon in Atlanta, GA, took place this past weekend, and according to a social media profile, a vendor was selling 'AI slop' and was asked to leave the pop-culture convention. Once the art was determined to be AI-generated, the management had the vendor removed (apparently by police presence).

Amanda Dalbjörn via Unsplash

Fellow vendors and artists left notes on the empty table with sayings like '#ArtByHumans', 'AI is not "ART"', and 'Boo This man!!'.

Artist Community Reacts with Strong Statements

Is AI Art Really Art? Let’s Break It Down

There are two sides of thought with this situation.

To properly use AI, it can be its own type of art; is that what this person did? Was it 'Generative AI' of their own work? Probably not, but who is to say?

Does AI sample from the web and other actual artists to create its 'art'? From everything I've read, yes.

Michael Dziedzic via Unsplash

Is the AI art, ART? In a way, yes. Is it wrong for that guy to be selling AI art to make money off of other people's work? YES!

Is It Ethical to Profit from AI-Created Work?

Although I've heard the argument that it depends on how much he was charging. If he's charging for just the cost of supplies and not making a profit, then it would be fine; he's just sharing the love of art. Most likely, that is not the case.

Is there much of a difference between what that vendor did and someone who is selling 'prints' of art that they didn't create at county fairs across the country? The difference with that is usually the source of those prints gets a percentage of the sales (at some point in the selling pipeline, which would go back to the original company/artist).

Connor Gan via Unsplash

Do Buyers Really Care Where Art Comes From?

On the consumer side, when I'm there, unless I'm looking for a certain artist, I'm purchasing what I think will look cool on my wall. Whether it's a print from someone or something someone created with their computer, if it looks cool, that'd get my money.

Sound Off!

What do you think? Should AI Art be allowed to be sold at Cons and other vendor fairs? Would you buy some at a Washington Con? Take our poll below, and be sure to Tap The App and let us know your thoughts.