Reben's work often combines AI technology with physical art, and he is known for his use of humor and absurdity. His residency at OpenAI will give him a front-row view of the company's work and the ongoing debate over art and AI. OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, has acknowledged that the technologies created by his company will change the nature of art, but insists that human artists will always matter. Reben's appointment is seen as a positive step towards engaging with questions about AI's impact on the art community.
Key takeaways:
- Alexander Reben, an M.I.T.-educated artist, will start a three-month residency at OpenAI in January, becoming the company's first artist in residence.
- Reben's work combines A.I. technology with physical art, often using AI to generate ideas for his pieces. His first major retrospective, titled “AI Am I?” is on display at Sacramento’s Crocker Art Museum.
- There is ongoing debate in the art world about the impact of AI on creativity, with some artists expressing concern about AI scraping their work from the internet to train systems without permission, compensation or credit.
- OpenAI's CEO, Sam Altman, acknowledges that AI will change the nature of art, but insists that human artists will always matter, suggesting that the rise of AI-generated art will increase the desire for human connection.