The Valid Use of AI in the Artistic and Creative Process: AI is a Tool, Not a Threat!

Written by Denis Tanguay, from the notes of a discussion with GPT4.0, 4 March 2025

In recent years, the rise of artificial intelligence in the artistic world has sparked heated debates among artists of every level. Some view AI as a looming threat that cheapens artistic work, while others see it as an exciting new tool to enhance the creative process. The heart of the disagreement lies in how one perceives the role of AI: as a replacement for human creativity or as a companion that amplifies the artist's vision.

While it's natural to be wary of technological disruption, the reality is that AI is simply another tool—one that, when used correctly, can unlock new possibilities and push the boundaries of what artists can achieve. AI does not generate talent out of thin air; rather, it enhances the skills and ideas of the artist behind the screen. Just as the camera didn't destroy painting or the synthesizer didn't ruin music, AI has the potential to empower rather than diminish creativity.

Let's explore how AI can be a valuable asset in the artistic process, offering three key examples to illustrate its positive contributions.

"AI is just a tool in one's toolbox. AI does not create talent but enhances the existing talent." - Denis Tanguay, CD Creator and general manager, DigitalThunder.ca

AI as a Collaborative Partner in Visual Art

One of the strongest arguments in favor of AI in art is its ability to serve as a collaborative partner rather than a competitor. In visual arts, AI tools like MidJourney or Adobe Firefly allow artists to generate ideas, explore different styles, and refine compositions faster than ever before.

Consider a digital artist working on concept art for a fantasy world. Traditionally, they might spend hours sketching various landscapes or character designs to find the right visual mood. With AI, the artist can input broad prompts like “a misty forest at dawn with ancient ruins” and receive several rough concept variations in minutes. These AI-generated images aren't finished works—they're jumping-off points. The artist can then take those concepts, tweak them, paint over them, and infuse their own style and vision into the final piece.

Far from replacing the artist's creativity, AI speeds up the iterative process, giving the artist more time to focus on refinement and originality. The final result is still unmistakably human, with AI acting as a co-pilot in the journey rather than the captain.

AI in Music Composition: Unlocking Inspiration

Music is another field where AI is proving to be a powerful ally. Tools like Amper Music, Mureka or Google's Magenta can generate melodies, chord progressions, or drum patterns based on the artist's input. This isn't about pushing a button and walking away—it's about breaking through creative blocks and inspiring new directions.

For example, a songwriter struggling to find the right chord progression for a chorus might use an AI generator to suggest a few harmonic ideas. The AI doesn't write the song—it's simply offering options, much like a jam session with another musician. The artist still makes the final decision on which melodies to keep, how to structure the song, and what emotional message to convey.

Many legendary musicians have relied on outside influences for inspiration—whether it's David Bowie using the cut-up writing technique or Brian Eno's "Oblique Strategies" cards. AI is just the modern equivalent of those tools, offering suggestions without removing the artist's voice.

Writing and Poetry: Refining, Not Replacing

AI's role in writing often sparks some of the fiercest resistance, with fears that machines will replace human storytellers. However, the reality is much more nuanced. Language models like ChatGPT or Sudowrite can act as intelligent writing assistants—helping writers brainstorm ideas, rewrite clunky sentences, or overcome writer's block.

Take poetry, for instance. An AI can suggest different word choices or generate metaphors that the poet might not have considered. Yet, the magic of poetry lies in the emotional intent behind the words—a dimension that no machine can replicate. The poet remains in control, selecting what resonates and discarding what doesn't.

Rather than diluting creativity, AI can sharpen it by pushing writers to think in new ways. It's not the tool itself that defines the quality of the work—it's how the artist uses it.

The Ethical Dimension: Transparency and Intent

Of course, the use of AI in art isn't without its challenges. The key lies in transparency and intent.

If an artist uses AI to generate an entire artwork and presents it as solely their own creation, that's where the line between tool and shortcut gets blurry. However, when artists openly integrate AI as part of their process—highlighting it as one ingredient among many—the work retains its authenticity.

No one questions whether photographers are artists simply because they use cameras instead of paintbrushes. The same should apply to AI. What's important is the artist's vision, decision-making, and ability to infuse the work with emotion and meaning.

The solution: Embracing the Toolbox Mentality

At its core, the debate over AI in art comes down to how we define creativity. Is creativity the act of making something entirely from scratch, or is it the ability to assemble ideas, tools, and influences into something unique?

History shows that every great leap in art has been accompanied by new technologies. The printing press, the camera, the electric guitar, Photoshop—all were once seen as threats to traditional craftsmanship. Yet each of these tools ultimately expanded what was possible, giving artists more ways to express themselves.

AI is no different.

Instead of fearing it, artists have the opportunity to claim it—to shape it into a tool that enhances their talents rather than replaces them.

Conclusion: The Artist Still Holds the Pen

AI is not the death of art—it's another brush in the artist's hand, another instrument in the band, another collaborator in the writing room.

What AI lacks is the spark that makes art truly meaningful: the human desire to express, to question, to connect. It can generate patterns, simulate beauty, and suggest ideas—but it can't feel the heartbreak behind a song, the awe behind a painting, or the defiance behind a poem.

That will always belong to the artist.

By embracing AI as part of the creative toolbox, artists can not only preserve their craft but push it to new heights. The future of art is not machine versus human—it's human with machine, reaching further than ever before.

So the question isn't whether AI cheapens art. The question is: What will you create with it?

A Final word

AI is a game-changer only if it's in the hands of someone with talent, vision, and a story to tell. What makes my work unique is me—my ideas, my emotions, my life experience—AI is just a tool to bring those elements to life in new and exciting ways.