Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly infiltrated diverse facets of human creativity, fundamentally altering the landscape of artistic expression. As AI-powered tools become more accessible, the traditional boundaries between human imagination and machine-generated art blur. A recent surge in AI-generated visual art, backed by massive datasets and cutting-edge algorithms, challenges long-standing notions of what constitutes art, creativity, and emotional depth. According to a report by CBS News, Turkish American artist Refik Anadol exemplifies this evolution by leveraging AI along with human creativity to craft immersive, ever-changing digital installations that captivate audiences worldwide.
Notably, Anadol emphasizes that his approach transcends typical AI image generation through a “thinking brush,” where human and machine collaboration is pivotal. He explains, “These are all, I think, true. That’s why I believe, [in] human-machine collaboration. We are really completing that bridge where I feel like most likely where we are going as humanity, and just be sure that it’s done right, that it’s shared right, and celebrate this new age of imagination” (Anadol, cbsnews). Anadol’s work showcases how AI can transform vast datasets—from NASA’s Earth photos to millions of landscape images—into dynamic art that truly pushes the limits of traditional media. The idea of treating data as a limitless pigment that does not “need to dry” introduces a compelling metaphor for AI’s capacity to reimagine form and texture fluidly.
Yet the revolutionary potential of AI art comes with divergent responses from critics. Art critic Jerry Saltz describes some AI works like Anadol’s acclaimed “Unsupervised” installation as a “half-million-dollar screensaver,” casting doubt on the depth of emotional engagement AI art provokes. Saltz argues, “How long you spend with a work of art is not a sign of success so much as your willingness to get quiet within yourself, go to uncomfortable places… In front of a Refik Adanol, you sit down, go into a stupor, and you don’t have to think much” (Saltz, cbsnews). This perspective highlights an ongoing debate about AI art’s capacity to challenge viewers intellectually or emotionally, underscoring that longevity in art involves more than visual attraction—it demands introspection and discomfort which AI-generated work may lack.
Beyond artistic critiques, ethical controversies surround AI art, particularly regarding intellectual property rights. Artist Molly Crabapple condemns AI training methods that utilize copyrighted images without consent, calling it “the greatest art heist in history.” She asserts, “No artist has been asked for their consent. No artist has received compensation… In fact, we don’t even see credit” (Crabapple, cbsnews). This issue raises practical concerns for the art community and could shape future regulations or industry standards around the use of artistic works in AI datasets. Anadol recognizes these concerns and says he only works with “ethically sourced” data, underscoring the importance of transparency and permissions in AI art creation.
The implications for the fulldome and immersive cinema industry are profound. AI-driven art like Anadol’s public installations illustrates new possibilities for injecting continuously evolving visuals into dome environments, where audiences can experience a blend of real-time generative art and multisensory interaction. With projects like Anadol’s upcoming DATALAND museum, which will integrate AI-generated scents and biometric feedback to alter visuals dynamically, fulldome creators can envision similarly adaptive storytelling formats that respond to audience emotions or physiological states. This could redefine engagement in fulldome venues, fostering deeper emotional connections and personalized experiences.
Educational programming in immersive environments also stands to benefit from AI art practices. The capacity to reimagine complex datasets—be they scientific, historical, or geographic—through AI algorithms offers educators novel ways to visualize abstract concepts and stimulate curiosity. Additionally, AI-generated content could provide versatile backdrops and narrative tools that evolve with a class or audience’s learning progression, making immersive cinema not only spectacle but also an adaptive, participatory educational platform. As the lines between art, technology, and education continue to converge, fulldome artists and programmers might explore new collaborative models inspired by the human-machine partnership championed by innovators like Refik Anadol.
In summary, AI art challenges conventional notions of creativity and raises important discussions around ethics, emotional resonance, and new forms of audience interaction, all of which resonate strongly within the evolving world of fulldome and immersive cinema.
(Source quotes and context from CBS News)
Originally reported by via www.cbsnews.com on 2026-02-22 16:00:22.
Read the full original article here: www.cbsnews.com