A renowned portrait competition has justified its decision to permit participants to enter artwork created by artificial intelligence, asserting that art should evolve to mirror societal changes.
The Brisbane Portrait Prize, offering a prestigious top prize of $50,000, is often referred to as Queensland’s equivalent of the Archibalds, showcasing chosen entries at the Brisbane Powerhouse later in the year.
In the entry guidelines, the Brisbane Portrait Prize explicitly states that submissions “completed in whole or in part by generative artificial intelligence” will be accepted as long as the artwork is original and entirely owned by the entrant.
A representative for the prize explained to Guardian Australia that embracing AI-generated entries reflects the dynamic nature of art, emphasizing the prize’s commitment to contemporary artistry and its role in stimulating artistic dialogue and evolution.
Acknowledging past objections to digital and photographic entries, the spokesperson highlighted the acceptance of these mediums in the evolving art landscape. They also noted that advancements in technology, such as AI tools, are expanding opportunities for artists, including those with disabilities.
The competition organizers clarified that ownership of AI-generated works would be assessed based on the creative processes involved and the terms of the AI program utilized. Artists are required to affirm their full copyright ownership of the submitted work.
Regarding copyright issues surrounding AI-generated art, Dr. Rita Matulionyte, a senior law lecturer, emphasized the ambiguity in determining the threshold of human input necessary for authorship claims.
The spokesperson emphasized that artworks demonstrating significant independent creative effort by the artist would likely be safeguarded by copyright, citing examples of artists using AI tools to create entirely new pieces incorporating elements from their original works.
The competition organizers acknowledged the evolving landscape of AI and the challenges in aligning legal frameworks with technological advancements.
While some competitions have grappled with the inclusion of AI-generated entries, the Brisbane Portrait Prize stands by its decision to embrace AI artistry, underscoring the importance of adapting to technological progress in the art world.
