Ethics and AI Art: Navigating Transparency

Where do ethics fit into AI art? From ownership to transparency, these are the questions I believe artists need to ask as we move forward.

Thank you for stopping by my site. I wanted to share some thoughts on AI Art and Ethics. These are just my personal opinions.

The Challenge for Artists

Artists will need to protect themselves and let the public know when their work is made by hand, not by machines.

But let’s face it—AI isn’t a passing trend. It’s here to stay, and its influence on the art world is inevitable. So, how do artists stay ethical in this new landscape?

One of my biggest pet peeves is not knowing if what I’m looking at is AI-made or real.

Changing Jobs

Creative jobs are evolving. New roles will emerge that focus on AI. Graphic designers, for example, will need to learn it—I already see programs teaching it.

Unfortunately, this is the reality we live in. If you post your art on social media, can it be used without your permission?

I’m already seeing universities add AI Art to their programs, along with ethics discussions. Adobe Fresco even added a checkbox to mark whether the art is AI.

AI Thoughts

I asked AI for its own perspective on AI Art Ethics. The response was broken into five sections, which I simplified into keywords and questions:

Ownership
Who owns AI-generated art—the person who typed the prompts, or the artist who created the original work?
Consent
Did the artist give permission for their work to be used? Many AI tools train on art taken from the internet without consent.
Human Creativity
Did the human add their own thoughts? AI reduces the personal aspect of art—but on the other hand, it can save time.
Transparency
Is there a disclaimer noting whether the work is AI-made or handmade? Honesty is essential, especially for contests, galleries, or commercial projects. Transparency is at the core of ethics.
Impact on the Art World
What are the long-term effects? Some view AI as a new medium, like photography once was. Others worry it could flood the art world with mass-produced content.

The Guardian recently posted an article: “Mass theft: Thousands of artists call for AI art action to be canceled,” reporting on art being sold without a license.

Our responsibility

So the real question is: how do we choose to use AI?

We can use it responsibly—acknowledging its limits, crediting sources, and ensuring it enhances rather than replaces human creativity.

If you use art, check if it’s AI or human made. Label it clearly. Make sure it’s not copyrighted. Tools like Pixabay offer free images, and I recently noticed they now mark AI photos.

My take

For me, the big “aha” has always been around Ethics and Transparency. It’s a topic I’m passionate about, and one that sparks many opinions. We don’t have to agree—but we do need to talk about it.

I’ll leave you with this question:
In what ways are you weaving ethics and transparency into your creative process?

References

I always enjoy seeing references at the end of a blog post—it adds a human touch. Here are a few I found meaningful:

Thank you for stopping by.

Note: As a Neurodivergent Dyslexic, this article reflects my own thoughts and ideas. Edited with the help of Grammarly and ChatGPT. Get empowered by Made by Dyslexia.