Imagining an Equitable World: Where Creativity and Ingenuity Belong to Creators

This is the fifth piece in our series on AI art. In the previous pieces, we explored AI art as an act of civil disobedience, the misinformation surrounding it, the pitfalls of copyright law, and the political divide over AI. Now, let’s dream a bit. Let’s imagine what an equitable world would look like if we fully embraced AI art and restructured our society to foster creativity without fear, gatekeeping, or exploitation.

Imagine a world where everyone, regardless of income or background, has the ability to create art. No barriers, no gatekeeping, just access to the tools that let you bring your imagination to life. This world doesn’t look like the one we live in now—not by a long shot. But it’s the kind of world we could build if we were willing to change the way we think about technology, ownership, and the value of creativity.

Still, having this basic security doesn't mean that artists can't make money from their craft. In fact, it would allow them to ply their craft without the desperation of needing every project to be a financial success. Whether you're painting murals, designing for clients, or using AI to create commissioned pieces, there is space to thrive and earn beyond the baseline. Artists could profit from doing what they love, in whatever medium they choose, with the added freedom of knowing their survival doesn’t hinge on the outcome of each piece.

Where Do Traditional Artists Fit?

In this equitable world, traditional artists have just as much of a place as those who use AI. The idea isn’t to replace one form of art with another, but to create an environment where all forms of creativity are valued. Traditional artists would still be celebrated for the unique skill, dedication, and craftsmanship they bring to their work. AI doesn’t diminish the value of a hand-painted piece or a meticulously crafted sculpture; instead, it can exist alongside these works, offering new possibilities for hybrid forms of art or simply being a different creative path for those who choose it.

Think about it like furniture. Once, all furniture was handcrafted by artisans, each piece unique and painstakingly made. With the rise of machine-made furniture, suddenly there were inexpensive options that almost anyone could afford. But instead of making handmade furniture obsolete, it highlighted the value of skilled craftsmanship. People still seek out custom, handcrafted pieces because they recognize the quality, care, and individuality in them. In the same way, traditional artists in this world would continue to be sought after, precisely because of the unique touch they bring that no machine-made process can fully replicate.

Traditional artists might also use AI as an augmentation tool. Imagine a painter who uses AI to generate preliminary sketches, helping them explore composition ideas faster before committing to the canvas. Or a sculptor who uses generative design to visualize their next piece in 3D before beginning the physical work. AI, in this world, becomes another tool in the artist's toolkit—one that complements rather than replaces their existing skills and talents.

However, in this world, we would also recognize the importance of putting safeguards in place to prevent nefarious use of AI. AI has immense potential, but without regulation, it could easily be used for harm. For example, hostile countries or bad actors could weaponize AI to spread misinformation or cause harm to people—a very real threat that has been discussed extensively, especially during recent election cycles. Regulation is necessary for any public service, and AI should be no different. Just as we use safety measures in construction or public health, we need guidelines to ensure that AI is used ethically and responsibly.

Rethinking Copyright and Compensation

In our imagined world, copyright wouldn’t be about ownership and control—it would be about fair compensation. Artists would be paid not just for the initial sale of their work, but for the value it generates over time. This would mean a shift from seeing art as a product to be bought and sold to seeing it as an ongoing contribution to a cultural commons. When AI uses an artist’s work as part of its training, the artist would be compensated fairly. Companies like Adobe and Shutterstock have started doing this, but it would become the standard, not the exception. Every artist would benefit from the role their work plays in shaping the creative landscape, even if it’s through a generative AI.

Community, Not Competition

Instead of a society that pits artists against each other in competition for scarce resources, we’d have a society that values collaboration and community. Creativity would be seen as a collective endeavor—something we all benefit from. AI would be a tool that enhances our ability to collaborate, not something that isolates us. Imagine artists working together with AI to create large-scale projects, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, not because they need to sell the work to survive, but because it’s what they love to do.

Decentralized Platforms and Direct Access

In an equitable world, the platforms that artists use to share and sell their work wouldn’t be owned by massive corporations that take huge cuts of their earnings. Instead, we’d have decentralized platforms—places where artists can directly connect with their audiences, set their own terms, and receive the full value of their work. Technology like blockchain could be used to ensure transparency and fairness, making sure artists get compensated every time their work is used or resold. Unlike cryptocurrencies, which most people associate with blockchain, this use of blockchain is purely about creating a public and tamper-proof record of ownership and transactions. It would mean that every time an artist's work changes hands, there is a transparent and verifiable record, ensuring they receive their fair share. The power wouldn’t lie with the gatekeepers—it would lie with the creators.

Creativity as a Right, Not a Privilege

Most importantly, creativity would be seen as a right, not a privilege. In our current world, the ability to make art is often restricted to those who can afford the time, the tools, and the training. But in an equitable world, we’d understand that creativity is fundamental to what it means to be human. It’s how we express ourselves, how we understand each other, how we make sense of the world. AI, in this context, would be part of a broader movement to ensure that everyone has the tools they need to be creative—whether that’s through traditional mediums or new technologies.

A Fantasy Worth Fighting For

It might sound like a fantasy, but it’s a fantasy worth fighting for. AI has the potential to fundamentally change the way we create and share art, but only if we’re willing to think bigger than the systems we have now. Instead of fearing the changes that AI brings, we could be embracing them, using them to build a world that values every artist, every creator, and every voice. One of the most important things that makes us human is our ability to use tools, not just for survival, but to enhance our collective experience. It’s not about the technology—it’s about how we choose to use it, how we wield these tools to make all our lives better.

In the next piece, we’ll wrap up this series by looking at the real, practical steps we can take today to move towards this vision. It may be a long road, but every step counts.

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