AI art
Dr. Sandip Mehta

Ever since the introduction of AI into regular use for the masses, AI has been able to replicate or simulate human work. From writing a poem to creating art, there's very little that AI can't do. AI has been making information and content of all sorts accessible to the public. It has also made it easier for those producing it, driving investments in AI at exponential rates. As per a Global View Research Inc. report, the global AI image generator market is anticipated to reach USD 1.08 billion by 2030, suggesting the heavy use of AI in creative arts.

Yet the concern here is: if technology can create the output, what makes creativity meaningful to begin with? As artificial intelligence creates more art, will human-made art keep its value, and will people still prefer it over AI art?

A study published by the Columbia Business School found that 62% of people rated artwork lower when they were advised the artwork was made by AI, as opposed to what they felt for human-made art. The study showed that even though participants found AI and human art equally skilled, they still favored the human-made pieces

Dr. Sandip Mehta, a professional digital artist under the studio moniker Studio Xephon and Adult Fan of Lego (AFOL), places great emphasis on making as well as marveling in terms of creativity as a new way of looking at something that's always been there. He believes being curious about an artwork and appreciating it is as important as the process of creating that artwork. This is the kind of shift in thinking he gently urges audiences to possess.

"When Copernicus proposed that the Earth moves around the sun, nothing in the sky changed, only our understanding of it did," says Dr Mehta. "Creativity works the same way. Sometimes the most powerful shift is seeing what's always been in front of us in a completely different light." He clarifies that what changed was our perception, our knowledge, our framework, and our ability to understand what's going on.

He finds that emotional connection is a major aspect of creating and enjoying art. He feels that art can give artists and the audience likewise a moment to pause, reflect, or experience an emotion. He explains that his use of chiaroscuro and other artistic techniques can add a touch of emotionality to his work. He also believes in the concept of Creative Joy, which, simply put, represents the distinction between creating something and enjoying someone else's creation. "Creativity isn't reserved for just professional artists," says Dr. Mehta, focusing on the importance of the audience on the creative stage.

Dr. Mehta, who has been practicing medicine for the past 25 years, explains that he has a common thread he follows in both medicine and his artwork. He elaborated on how he deals with patients on a day-to-day basis, aiming to find connection with them as part of their care.

"Care isn't a one-way process. I bring my own story into my patients' lives and build a connection that helps them heal, grow, and find their way to the best version of themselves. Sometimes that simply means sitting down and listening," he says. "But it also means being creative, because good medicine is about far more than pattern recognition."

He draws parallels between medicine and art, highlighting that both require curiosity, observation, empathy, and an ability to understand experiences beyond your own.

While Dr. Mehta places a high value on human-made art, he doesn't vilify the use of AI tools in artwork. "Neither AI nor human touch should replace each other," he shares.

He believes risk-takers need to be prioritized. "People who are taking creative risks, who put themselves out there and say, 'I'm working on art, and I'm using AI as an adjacent intelligence to help me bring my creative vision to life' need to be valued," he says. He adds that human intention, lived experience, empathy and authenticity are what become the important differentiators here.

Dr. Mehta believes the future of creative work and AI does not lie in measuring creativity solely on production and output. In his view, the ability to experience, appreciate, and emotionally connect with creativity is equally important.

"Technology can change how easily we create, but it doesn't eliminate the human need to connect with what we create," Dr. Mehta notes. "We don't all need to become creators; we need to remain willing to marvel, feel, and connect, which are just as important as creating."