Artificial intelligence in Culture – The Pros, Cons and Impact

Artificial intelligence or AI involves computers and machines acting, thinking and learning like humans. AI is no longer a sci-fi thriller concept, but a steady streaming reality. From social media features, maps, facial recognition in devices, autocorrect, e-payments to self-driving cars, we are surrounded by AI driven tools and assistance. But what impact does AI have on culture and vice versa? Is artificial intelligence in culture a reality and future that we must encourage or should we be weary of its influence on heritage and traditions? Just as there are two sides to a coin, the impact of AI in culture is debatable. 

Artificial Intelligence in Culture

Culture is often defined as the customs, traditions and lifestyle of a community or group of people. Language, art, costumes, culinary, beliefs, traditions, religion, festivals, ceremonies etc. all come under the purview of culture. A sweeping look at the elements of culture tells us that each of these has had some association with artificial intelligence in recent times. Arts is composed of visual arts, paintings, sculptures, crafts, music, dance, theatrical performances etc. Use of AI in movie making for instance or restoring old paintings has been a boost to the industry. On the other hand, many argue that true creativity or individual artistic thinking is marred by the use of common AI generated ideas. 

Artificial Intelligence in Languages

To understand the impact of AI on culture, let us learn a bit about each cultural facet and its association with artificial intelligence. Language is an important cornerstone of culture. Through words and sentences, one can express clearly. Language is, hence, one of the most important mediums of expression. But there are hundreds of languages spoken by people across the world. It is not possible to learn all languages and truly value or understand the literary or textual documentations. AI has stepped in here with aplomb, making language translation an easy option. Using various AI language translation and transcription tools, populations not speaking in a particular language can also now understand and access literature and culture of different regions. 

Chatbots engage in interactive conversation with people and various tools and apps assist in grammar, dialect, pronunciation. In fact, so advanced is AI in language development, that in some cases, emotions are also notified in speech. For a cross cultural, as well as, better understanding of the inter cultural language nuances, AI has played a positive role. 

However, the flip side of artificial intelligence on culture for specifically language, is that often the dominant or prevailing language is given more importance. This could affect inclusivity of less popular or spoken languages. Besides, not all translations are precise. Also, sensitive and private information or conversations can be accessed if not careful. 

Artificial Intelligence in Visual Arts

Arts is a massive spectrum and there is little doubt that AI has increasingly become more than just an aid in the creation of arts. From being tools for assistance to creators, such as ChatGPT, AI in the creative realm has made huge strides. 

AI and AI generative apps help the artist, by providing templates and tools to view their creativity on a screen before they can actually create it. It gives them the chance to experiment and ideate. On the other hand, digital art generated through algorithms and machines are expanding traditional artistic boundaries. 

Besides, art galleries and museums find AI an effective and faster way to keep records. Auctions can be organized easily, art transactions are more transparent and old paintings and art forms can be restored digitally and preserved for eternity. 

But again, is the increasing use of AI in arts a downside to human creativity? What if AI generated art surpasses that of a human artist? Who takes credit for the collaboration of art – the artist or the algorithm? There are many such speculations, but at the moment, it is safe to say that the future of art depends on the ability of the artist to work in tandem with technology. 

AI in Music and Performing Arts 

AI has been used in music and dance since the 1950s. Computers were used to create rhythms and melodies, but over the years the technology and AI has advanced by leaps. Apps and tools are adept at composing music and choreographing dance moves. AI can also compose music alongside a real time live performance. Generative AI tools can create a composition, including the lyrics from a text input. Besides, AI has played an important role in the distribution and marketing of music as well.

However, deep fakes are a disturbing reality of artificial intelligence in the culture of music. Adding the voice of another artist on a completely different composition without his or her permission is one of the few drawbacks of incessant access and use of technology. Similarly, the copyright laws on AI generated music differ from country to country. 

In the case of dance or other performances, there are several AI tools that can generate new dance moves, styles, patterns etc. On the upside, these tools are great for learning and mastering the art. 

AI in arts has immense benefits if used morally. Yet, serious issues, such as authenticity, property rights, job displacements etc. are invariable outcomes of the use of AI in arts. 

AI in Architecture and Movies

Architecture is also an effective reflection of the culture of a region or community. Architectural styles speak of the traditions and beliefs of the people who build and for whom the structure is built. GANs or Generative Adversarial Networks and other generative AI tools provide architectural creativity and ideas. AI has increased the efficiency, planning and tracking of the industry, besides boosting innovation and accuracy. Builders can plan with precision and see the structure digitally before building it in actuality. Unlike other art forms, AI in architecture is relatively limited to those who truly understand and educate themselves in this art form. 

Movie making or in telling stories, AI is used from the stage of script writing, to pre-production assistance, predicting the outcome of the film, promoting the film and much more. The use of technology has undoubtedly changed the movie going experience. 4D and 5D films, animations, digital graphics etc. are transforming the way viewers enjoy cinema. 

The Future of AI

Artificial intelligence in culture is finding its place in the creation, execution, marketing, and preservation of different cultural facets. However, culture is not only a thing of the past. It is the present and also the future. What we create today and the way we lead, enhance and leave behind a legacy of our culture, will impact how future generations see and understand our present heritage. Thus, AI generated cultural elements of today are also testimony and examples of the future of arts or architecture or heritage. Just as each innovation of the past has impacted our present, each innovation of the present will impact the future. In this context, the role of artificial intelligence in culture is of paramount importance. This is because society and culture are intrinsic to survival and humans cannot live in either isolation or as robots without any intellectual or emotional contribution to the world. 

It becomes imperative to acknowledge and incorporate AI into our cultural growth. But it is also important to not dilute human creativity. Do not get so dependent on technology that you forget what it means to innovate or create or imagine without the help of a machine. 

Final Thoughts

AI is here to help, if man works in sincere collaboration with the technology. Pressing concerns of privacy, ethical or moral dilemmas, credit and liabilities, infringement and copying and other misuse or misinterpretations of artificial intelligence are essential to address and be cognizant of. Artificial intelligence in culture is here, and yet, we need to learn how to maintain a balance.