Diskurs

The study, commissioned by Stiftung Kunstfonds and Initiative Urheberrecht (Authors’ Rights Initiative) and conducted by Goldmedia GmbH, shows that many visual artists are already using AI-based tools and that recipients are also open to AI art. However, the majority of the more than 3,000 artists surveyed are concerned about disadvantages and loss of income, and many express concrete demands to AI companies and politicians. The study also sheds light on the economic dimension of generative AI.

AI: creative booster or threat?

42% of the artists surveyed have already had their own artistic experience with AI in the creation of works, of which 50% use AI tools to find ideas and 39% to develop new works. 43% of visual artists see the emergence of new types of art, styles and techniques as the greatest opportunity for AI. At the same time, there are reservations: 56% of the artists surveyed fear that AI could cause them to lose sources of income, while 53% even see the livelihood of visual artists at risk. Of the more than 1,000 art recipients surveyed, 64% showed interest in works that were created entirely or partially with the help of AI applications.

Clear demands for compensation, mandatory labeling and better media education

Generative AI applications require very large amounts of data in order to function. However, like many other creatives, visual artists face the problem of not knowing whether and in what form their artworks have already been used to train complex AI models. 87% of visual artists therefore demand that their works can only be used for training purposes by AI companies with their explicit consent. 91% demand financial compensation for use. 85% of artists and 83% of art recipients also advocate mandatory labeling of products created with or by AI.

One result of the interviews with experts is also the call for better education on the opportunities and risks of AI, which should already start at art colleges and academies and be supplemented by accompanying educational campaigns.

Klaus Goldhammer, Goldmedia GmbH: "This is the first study in Germany to examine the impact of artificial intelligence on the visual arts. It is clear that generative AI with its various tools has already arrived in many art studios. However, alongside the openness of many artists to AI as an instrument, there are also concerns and reservations: Many of the artists surveyed fear, among other things, a devaluation of art (45%) and increasing competitive pressure (55%). Interestingly, almost half (47%) of art recipients rate the use of AI in the visual arts positively. However, a large majority (83%) of them are in favor of mandatory labeling of products created with AI. In the study, we can also show that around EUR 2 billion will be generated in Germany in 2030 with AI image generators alone. Sales that would not be possible without the works of visual artists as the basis for training AI systems."

Karin Lingl, Stiftung Kunstfonds: "The study reveals the ambivalence with which AI works in the visual arts. On the one hand, as an innovative tool that opens up creative possibilities. On the other hand, as a machine whose products reduce the income of artists by flooding the art market and thus devaluing art. On an even larger scale, AI is conquering the art mediation sectors, which is jeopardizing jobs and commissions in the entire art industry, in museums, publishing houses, galleries and the press. We urgently need further data collection on the economic impact of AI on the entire visual arts network in order to assess the consequences for all players in the art scene. The study also shows how important media literacy is. We need to develop an awareness of authenticity in order to be able to check and assess the credibility of images. Who, if not the visual artists, should provide this as experts?"

Katharina Uppenbrink, Initiative Urheberrecht: "In line with the demand for financial participation by artists (86%), all uses of protected works and performances by AI applications must lead to appropriate remuneration of creatives, either within the framework of licensing models or fair compensation. The approaches now contained in the AI Act are a step in the right direction but are still far from sufficient. This study is a very good basis for further political work."

The study (Summary: p. 11-18) and the livestream of the press conference can be found on the websites urheber.infoand kunstfonds.de.

The study is currently available in German only, but an English translation is planned.

Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information:

Pressekontakt Stiftung Kunstfonds: Jenny Fleischer, Presse- und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit, T: +49 228 33 65 69-18, E: presse@kunstfonds.de; Pressekontakt Initiative Urheberrecht: Katharina Uppenbrink, Geschäftsführerin, T: +49 16090954016, E: info@urheber.info

About Stiftung Kunstfonds

Since its establishment in 1980, the Stiftung Kunstfonds has had the task of promoting contemporary visual art and communicating its contribution to society. It supports artistic processes from idea to production and promotes innovative mediation concepts. In addition, the Kunstfonds initiates exemplary visionary projects on relevant future topics in the visual arts. These include the Künstler:innenarchiv in Brauweiler near Cologne, which tests and negotiates concepts for the art heritage of the future. The Stiftung Kunstfonds is one of the six federal cultural funds and is supported by the major visual arts associations. Visual artists always have the majority on its committees and award juries. kunstfonds.d

About Initiative Urheberrecht

The Authors’ Rights Initiative represents the interests of around 140,000 authors and performing artists in the fields of fiction and non-fiction, visual arts, design, documentary film, film and television, photography, illustration, journalism, composition, orchestra, drama, game development, dance and many more. The Initiative has been working in the field of artificial intelligence for several years, has published key statements on the subject and was a major advocate of European digital legislation (AI Act). urheber.info