The discussion concludes with the idea that the definition of photography may need to evolve to accommodate the rise of AI. The speakers also acknowledge that while skepticism is necessary when viewing images, especially on social media, personal photos from friends and family are more likely to be grounded in reality. They invite viewers to weigh in on whether the benefits of AI images outweigh the diminished trust in photos, particularly online.
Key takeaways:
- AI and photography is not a new concept, with phones and cameras using AI to improve photos for years. However, generative AI is now able to create photos from scratch with nothing more than a prompt.
- Two professional photographers were shown a series of images, some made completely from AI, others where AI was used to manipulate an image and photos where neither were the case. They had to determine if the photos were real or AI-generated.
- The discussion raised the question of whether it matters if photos are AI or not, especially in the context of journalistic applications and the potential for misuse, such as using AI to create inappropriate images of individuals without their consent.
- Despite the potential for misuse, the speakers concluded that AI in photography is likely just another chapter in the evolution of imagery, similar to the transition from drawing and painting to photography. However, it does mean that the definition of a photograph may need to change.