How technology is transforming the art world

At The Art Market 2050 conference, organised by The Art Business Conference and supported by DACS, artist and DACS member Adelaide Damoah discussed with Lanre Bakare, arts and culture correspondent for The Guardian, the importance of regulations to ensure transparency and compensation for artists in the context of AI training.

In the fireside chat ‘AI & Creativity setting a global standard to protect artists and their work’ Damoah explained that DACS’ report ‘Artificial Intelligence and Artists’ Work’ revealed that many AI models are trained on artists’ work without compensation.

Bakare and Damoah discussed the opportunities for artistic development presented by AI, noting that collaboration with AI systems offers a ‘hugely exciting’ chance for artists to explore new facets of their practice. However, they emphasised that this potential cannot be realised without regulations developed in consultation with artists, as fears of "being ripped off and replaced in the cultural sector" are significant barriers. They also highlighted the lack of "robust education" around AI models, which deters artists from engaging with emerging technologies and increases their fear, calling for dedicated, up-to-date training.

Damoah called for measures echoing DACS’ five policy recommendations to the UK government coming out of its AI report, including:

• Consent, control and compensation for the use of works in AI training,
• Transparency about what data or artworks have been used for AI training, and
• Regulation to ensure artists understand how to move within the boundaries of AI

Read more

• Adelaide Damoah on artists and AI
• How DACS advocates for your rights in the face of AI