Title: Aesthetic relevance of generative artificial intelligence
Authors: Umberto Roncoroni
Addresses: Universidad Peruana de Ciencias Aplicadas, Av. Prolongación Primavera 2390, Monterrico, Lima, Peru
Abstract: This article examines the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) on contemporary art, creative practice, and education. Evaluating the benefits and drawbacks of GAI is difficult due to the accelerated development of technology and weak academic relationships between aesthetics and computer science. To elucidate GAI, we propose setting aside metaphysical dilemmas and concentrating on the aesthetic problems of GAI, such as romantic influences, technocentric approaches to creativity, black boxes, and misunderstanding about the properties of digital media. Through an approach that combines philosophical analysis, computer science, and art-based research, we compare the Dadaist Poem by Tzara with GAI to verify its coherence with contemporary art development. We found that GAI contradicts contemporary art innovations and the aesthetic potential of digital media. The results demonstrate why GAI will jeopardise the development of creative and significant art and proffer a review of theories, methods, and interdisciplinary references.
Keywords: aesthetics; avant-gardes; computational creativity; contemporary art; Dadaism; digital media; generative artificial intelligence; GAI; interactivity; postmodernism; public art.
DOI: 10.1504/IJART.2026.155708
International Journal of Arts and Technology, 2026 Vol.16 No.3, pp.321 - 342
Received: 21 Dec 2024
Accepted: 20 Apr 2025
Published online: 11 Aug 2026 *