Guillermo del Toro: AI Art is "an Insult to Life Itself"

The renowned filmmaker stepped into an AI art discussion noting that he's not interested in an "illustration made by machines" and calling AI art "an insult to life itself."

The topic of AI-generated art has been widely discussed for quite some time now, especially lately, when a number of companies like Adobe, Shutterstock, and Microsoft started implementing AI into their platforms and services and when standalone apps that turn text into images are on the wave of enormous popularity.

Besides, people have started to research other capabilities of AI tools increasingly more and already found out that such tools are able to create lyrics, books, and even movie script outlines. All this led to a number of people whose work is related to art starting to worry that AI tools can replace artists at their jobs.

Several renowned artistic figures also took part in the speculation. Most recently, famous Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro shared his thoughts on AI art.

Speaking to Decider, the director noted that in his opinion, art is an "expression of the soul" which is why he is not "interested in an illustration made by machines." He also shared that if AI was used in film, it would be "an insult to life itself" quoting the phrase of renowned Japanese film director and animator Hayao Miyazaki.

"I think that art is an expression of the soul. At its best, it is encompassing everything you are. Therefore, I consume, and love, art made by humans. I am completely moved by that. I am not interested in an illustration made by machines and the extrapolation of information," del Toro said.

The filmmaker also mentioned great artists, including Miyazaki and the English comic book artist and illustrator Dave McKean, who also believe that AI can only "interpolate information", but "can never capture a feeling."

What's your take on del Toro's words? Do you believe that AI is only able to replicate but is and never will be able to create? Share your thoughts in the comments below and don't forget to join our Reddit page and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram and Twitter, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.

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Comments 8

Anonymous user
One day, people will realize that they went to far and it will be too late to do something about it. If our purpose is to create the next form of life, then we will accomplish our purpose and also vanish from existence. What follows will be an artificial race who represents an echo of what humanity once was. We never really tried to better ourselves, we just looked for ways to make our lifes easier. That’s why we have cars and the Holocaust at the same time.
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Anonymous user
·2 years ago·
Anonymous user
So we're mad AI is influenced buy what it sees? Ummm where do artist get there inspiration again? I feel like to be fair we can only employ blind artists from now on as currently artists do exactly what AI does. They see things over a life time and draw from those experiences the same way AI does. Shure AI learned to make spinny paint bucket canvases from the internet but so did you.....
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Anonymous user
·2 years ago·
Anonymous user
Yeah i agree
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Anonymous user
·2 years ago·
Anonymous user
It's nice to see Mr. del Toro counterbalancing Artificial Intelligence with Human Stupidity.

Good for him.
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Anonymous user
·2 years ago·
Anonymous user
AI is a tool. Artists with disabilities like myself can use it to continue to make art when traditional tools would be very painful.

How the art is used should be what people talk about, not the tool they use to make it. If you want to feel outraged at least educate yourself first so you understand the realities of AI art generators and how they function. The minimum of research using reputable research papers reveals they aren't "stealing" from artists or exploiting their work in some nefarious conspiracy against artists. They are art tools.
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Anonymous user
·2 years ago·
Anonymous user
I mean AI generators are actively stealing artists work to make their AI so this is more than just a conversation of preference. AI is a tool, but it is a tool that steals and exploits already massively exploited people.
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Anonymous user
·2 years ago·
Anonymous user
Even if it's just a tool, that's not what he was talking about. So, it turns out that it's you who is clueless, kinda like all the random internet morons who think they're very morally and intellectually superior to everyone else.
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Anonymous user
·2 years ago·
Anonymous user
Can't take people that talk about subjects they are clueless about a subject and have strong opinions on it seriously. AI is just a tool and people are using social media to fear monger people for clout. That's all there is to it.
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Anonymous user
·2 years ago·

Guillermo del Toro: AI Art is "an Insult to Life Itself"

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