to the editor: There is no denying that technology has always advanced the process of creating art and design (“Technology has expanded creativity for centuries. What makes AI different?”, December 18). It has been an intrinsic aspect of artistic developments since the beginning of humanity. The camera alone democratized image creation so that anyone could be an artist, capable of staging dramatic narratives within our everyday reality.
AI is completely different at this unique moment in our social evolution. There have already been widespread job reductions due to AI, threatening entire sectors of the creative workforce.
In schools, second graders now have AI image generators that eliminate the need to draw a picture. Throughout their education, students will begin to rely on it for everything from brainstorming and visualization to writing, design, multimedia production, and editing.
Due to the proliferation and power of social media, the public is losing the sense of the value of the art that the author describes. As a result, these human artistic capabilities may diminish or disappear altogether from our society.
Retaining them will require deliberate, strong and ongoing support for arts education in schools, including media arts. According to data from Create CA, 89% of schools are violating California education code by not offering arts instruction, and less than 2% of students have access to media arts and literacy. That needs to change.
Dain Olsen, Los Angeles
This writer is president and CEO of the National Association. for Media Arts Education.
