Art Was Never About the Effort

This article defends AI-generated art by arguing that the definition of art has historically expanded to include new tools and processes. It cites examples from the Chauvet cave paintings to Picasso's use of manufactured paints, and Duchamp's readymades, to show that the 'effort' or manual creation has never been the sole criterion for art. The author contends that the anger toward AI art stems from those who have already 'paid the toll' of traditional creation, but that art is about intention and meaning, not the time spent. It addresses counterarguments about meaning and concludes that AI art can be art, while acknowledging the complexity of the issue.