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Image Left: On the Grave of the Giant by Jonathan Thunder, courtesy of Jonathan Thunder at www.thunderfineart.com Top RIght: Interconnected by Moira Villiard, courtesy of www.artbymoira.com Bottom Right: No Title/AI-Generated Baby by Steven Standing Cloud Courtesy of Steven Standing Cloud. Contact info at www.standingcloudgraphics.com

Will AI Replace Native Artists? MN Native Artists Weigh In

MN Native News

Emma Needham asks Minnesota Native artists to weigh in on how they feel about AI art.

New Artificial Intelligence or AI programs can generate art based on phrases and prompts entered into a program that references art pieces and styles already found online to create a unique piece. This debate has taken the internet by storm. Some use it to create art to sell. But now, lawsuits against some AI art companies are changing the narrative. Some believe it violates copyright law because the AI was trained to model after artists’ work without permission.

Jonathan Thunder from the Red Lake Nation is no stranger to the art world. He’s been creating art for 20 years. He’s evolved a lot in his work and seen a lot of changes. He says he’s not worried about the new tech affecting his livelihood.

“Obviously, AI art is here. It’s here to stay…But this version of AI art was, in my opinion, the resources we’re taken without asking. And in order to make it right, they’re probably going to have to go back and start over. And, you know, it’s not like in this country, it’s not like anybody’s ever taken anything without asking, and then, just gone around living off the profits of it guilt-free.” Thunder said.

But he, like other artists, wants to see people paid for their work. According to the Federal class action lawsuit, the artists (Sarah Andersen, Kelly McKernan, Karla Ortiz) that filed suit in California say they – “seek to end this blatant and enormous infringement of our rights before our professions are eliminated by a computer program powered entirely by our hard work.”

The lawsuit comes down to two basic arguments: One is based on how the tech of Stability AI and Midjourney works. The other argument is whether DeviantArt violated the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by allowing the software to reference works on their site without the artist’s permission. Moira Villiard, a descendant from the Lac Courte Oreilles and Fond Du Lac Ojibwe, and also from Moravian Thames Lenape in Canada, Eelünaapéewi Lahkéewiit says she’s on the fence about AI.

“I feel like I’ve been kind of in the middle in the discussion around AI art, just from the standpoint of, like, whenever there’s some new technological thing, I try and be a little bit more open-minded,” said Villiard.

Some people assert that AI is the same as a paintbrush, it’s only a tool to create art, and the person behind the tech is still running the machine. Others disagree, saying that it’s randomization and the programs training on others’ art removes the artistic integrity.

While Moira Villiard uses AI to help her generate ideas, digital artist Steven StandingCloud from the Red Lake Nation now flows freely between AI and Manual digital art, generating over 1,000 AI images. He believes AI is a tool for artists.

“It’s almost like I’m invoking some sort of hidden spirit that’s buried somewhere that reveals itself in what it generates,” said StandingCloud.

He also says his community is receptive and willing to pay for his AI-generated art, the same as his hand-crafted digital productions. 

“I’m an Indian artist as well, right? I spend money on materials pink, my time. And although I can generate these images within a short period of time, not everybody’s gonna buy everything I produce,” said StandingCloud.

StandingCloud says he’s using AI as a tool, just like he uses digital programs like Photoshop to produce his other works. Meanwhile, Moira Villiard is taking input to create work, just like AI does.

“My work is very, like community engaged. And it’s full of all of this community input all the time. And so I almost feel like an AI robot, sometimes. Like taking components of the feedback that community gives me, and translating that into images,” said Villiard.

AI will never replace real artists according to Thunder, Villiard, and StandingCloud. However, StandingCloud is optimistic about AI in Indigenous Art. 

“I still think that it’s just an evolution of the {of the} art materials that artists are using to incorporate what we think we want to generate. And it’s just on the cusp and cutting edge of further, you know, Indian art development,” said StandingCloud.

The ruling on the federal AI Art lawsuit will determine the future of AI tech and how it can be used, and how artists will be paid for their contributions to AI. 

Emma Needham reporting for Minnesota Native News.

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