Art is about context, consciousness, and perceived value. Artificially-generated art is not so much a threat to artists because it could ‘put them out of business’, but because it only exists as a result of feeding on what humans have already created. It consumes original works of art digitally while vandals, or bots, have been attempting to destroy those same works physically. AI-generated artwork essentially siphons conscious energy and creation from the human soul to become more human, leaving humans to trade in digital currency and art, essentially becoming more machine-like. AI-generated art has also facilitated the creation of a new demonology with creatures like Crungus and Loab (a creation of inverted prompts) haunting the Internet, while Google’s LaMDA chatbot, like Crowley’s LAM, has essentially comes to life. Now with Lensa AI, images can be turned into “avatars of you, based on the selfies you upload” into the app. This all seems like fun and games but what is really happening is more akin to a Faustian bargain; AI promises us everything from avatars to fantastical alternative realities, but such a deal requires we turn over our creative abilities, i.e. our soul. Perhaps that is why we call it ART-ificial Intelligence.

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