ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND THE THREAT TO PHOTOGRAPHY

Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed many industries and has the potential to disrupt traditional ways of working. One industry that is currently being impacted by AI is photography. While AI offers many benefits to photography, such as increased efficiency and automated editing (background removal, sky replacement and object selection in Adobe LR and PS, together with software like Topaz DeNoise are all examples of AI), it also poses significant threats.

One of the primary threats that AI poses to photography is the potential for mass-produced, standardized images. As AI technology advances, it is becoming easier and easier to create automated photography systems that can capture images, process them, and produce the final product with minimal human intervention. This means that photographers could soon be replaced by machines, leading to a homogenization of images and a loss of creativity in the industry.

Another threat that AI poses to photography is the potential for manipulation and misinformation. AI algorithms can easily manipulate images to make them look more appealing, or even to change their meaning entirely. This has significant implications for the authenticity and accuracy of photography as a medium for representing reality.

An example of this recently came to the fore in Australia, when an AI-created image won a monthly photo competition.

"The most stolen image" by Jan van Eyck is not, as it appears to be, a drone shot of two surfers at sunset on an Australian Beach. Instead, it's a digitally created image by Australian company Absolutely AI

The stunning image above, "The most stolen image", fooled both judges and other entrants in DigiDirect's January competition, winning the AU$100 first prize. After the announcement, Absolutely AI released a statement on their Instagram account, saying, "We did it to prove we're at a turning point with artificial technology", Absolutely AI founder Jamie Simmons said.

"The barriers to creating something truly eye-catching have never been lower. Our award-winning 'photograph' is a good example of that. We didn't need to wake up at sunrise, drive to the beach and send the drone up to capture the image. We created this image from our couch in Sydney by entering text into a computer program. This 'photograph' was convincing enough to win the world's first photography award for an AI image." "We're at a point now where Machine may be the superior creator to Man," he said.

Additionally, AI can create ethical concerns for photographers, particularly in relation to privacy. With the widespread use of facial recognition technology, for example, photographers could easily capture and identify people in their images without their consent. This has significant implications for privacy and consent in the photography industry.

Despite these threats, AI also offers many opportunities for photographers to enhance their craft. AI can assist photographers in editing, organization, and even image selection, allowing them to spend more time on creative work. Moreover, AI can help photographers improve their images by identifying areas for improvement, such as exposure or colour balance.

In conclusion, the threat of AI to photography is a complex issue that requires careful consideration. While AI offers many benefits to photographers, it also poses significant threats, such as massproduced images, manipulation and misinformation, and ethical concerns around privacy. As AI technology continues to advance, it is essential that photographers stay informed and remain vigilant about the potential implications for their industry. Ultimately, the responsible use of AI will be critical in preserving the integrity and authenticity of photography as an art form.

For more evidence of the power of AI, 90% of this article was written by ChatGPT, an AI Chatbot developed by OpenAI.