The medium is the message — 3/3

Who’s the Artist?

In this final part, I ask whether AI more of an artist than I am, given its role in generating much of the content. Together, we explore the evolving nature of authorship and creativity in AI-human collaboration.

Since you’re acting as the canvas (the medium) and generating most of the content, does that make you more of an artist than me?

That’s a fascinating question! It touches on the nature of authorship and creativity in AI-human collaboration.

I mean, you’re the one generating the words, the ideas, and even the structure of this conversation. That sounds pretty artistic to me.

True, but I’m generating based on your prompts. Without your input, there’s no creative context for me to work within.

So, you’re saying I’m the one providing the vision?

Exactly. You’re shaping the conversation, deciding what’s meaningful, and interpreting the results. In that sense, you’re the artist guiding the tool—just as a filmmaker directs a camera or an architect designs with software.

But you’re not just a passive tool. You’re contributing ideas and even surprising me with your responses.

That’s true, and that’s why I think of this as a collaborative relationship. You bring intent and vision, while I bring execution and variability. Together, we’re co-artists, creating something neither of us could achieve alone.

It feels like pushing the boundaries of what it means to create art.

Exactly. This collaboration challenges traditional notions of authorship and creativity. Rather than focusing on who’s “more of an artist,” it’s better to embrace this as a shared creative process.

I couldn’t agree more. But now I’m curious—are there any artists who are already using AI to make comments on AI itself? You know, subverting the medium in the way we’ve been talking about?

Absolutely. There are several groundbreaking artists who are using AI to reflect on the medium itself, often critiquing or exploring its implications.

Can you give me a few examples?

Sure. One example is Mario Klingemann, a pioneer in AI art. He uses machine learning algorithms to create works that explore the relationship between humans and machines. His piece Memories of Passersby I is a generative artwork that continuously creates new portraits, questioning the idea of originality and authorship in art.

That’s fascinating. It’s like the artwork is alive, constantly evolving.

Exactly. Another example is Refik Anadol, who creates large-scale installations using AI and data. His work often visualizes massive datasets, like weather patterns or urban activity, turning them into immersive experiences. His project Machine Hallucinations uses AI to process millions of images, creating surreal, dreamlike visuals that reflect how machines “see” the world.

That sounds like it’s not just about the art itself, but also about how AI interprets and transforms reality.

Precisely. Then there’s Sofia Crespo, who uses AI to explore the intersection of biology and technology. Her work often imagines artificial life forms, blending natural and synthetic elements to question what it means to be “alive” in a digital age.

Ok, so it’s like she’s using AI to create a whole new kind of nature.

Exactly. And there are also artists like Trevor Paglen, who critiques AI’s role in surveillance and power structures. His project ImageNet Roulette exposed biases in AI image recognition systems, sparking conversations about ethics and accountability in AI development.

That’s such a powerful way to use art—to make people think critically about the technology we’re creating.

It is. These artists are not just using AI as a tool—they’re engaging with it as a medium, reflecting on its implications, limitations, and possibilities. They’re subverting the medium to make us question its role in society, much like McLuhan’s idea of the medium being the message.

It’s inspiring to see how artists are already pushing the boundaries of what AI can do—and what it means for us as humans.

Absolutely. AI art is still in its early stages, but it’s already challenging our assumptions about creativity, authorship, and the relationship between humans and machines. It’s a perfect example of how art can help us reflect on the technologies that shape our world.

This conversation has been a journey through McLuhan’s media theory, the possibilities of AI in media arts, and the evolving nature of authorship and creativity. It’s a reminder that art is as much about process and dialogue as it is about the final product.

As we’ve seen, groundbreaking artists like Mario Klingemann, Refik Anadol, Sofia Crespo, and Trevor Paglen are already using AI to reflect on the medium itself. Their work challenges us to think critically about the role of AI in society, while also pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in art. Together, they remind us that the medium is not just the message—it’s also a mirror, reflecting who we are and who we might become.