Images created with artificial intelligence can be problematic when it comes to copyright and truthfulness. Such images are based on many sources processed by the technology through a prompt to generate entirely new motifs. AI has become simple and accessible in traditional editing tools, allowing manipulation such as changing backgrounds and removing people to be done with a keystroke, and without photographic expertise.

When viewed and interpreted uncritically and without knowledge, AI-generated images can be misused to convey erroneous information. On the other hand, it can be argued that you, as the viewer, should know better than to perceive photographs as faithful representations of reality. It is necessary to distinguish between different genres within photography, such as confirmed press photos, archival photos, or artistic photography.

Artists Duncan Higgins and Johan Sandborg invite critical reflection on this theme from an artistic standpoint in the work it Will Be Fine, which could be seen at the University Library in Bergen in the spring of 2024. The artists started with 15 archive images from the UB's image collection and processed them with image-generating AI tools and acrylic paint. They aim to invite critical examination of image use through artistic language and by creating a new work.

An example of this can be seen in the artwork below:

Photo: Atelier KK. (n.d.). Ubb-kk-nss-066-123. Special collections. University Library of Bergen. Retrieved July 18, 2024, from marcus.uib.no

The image above shows the original before it was processed with artificial intelligence.

From the digital exhibition: Higgins, D., & Sandbord, Johan. (2024). It Will Be Fine.
Faculty of Fine Art, Music and Design (KMD), University of Bergen. Retrieved July 18, 2024, from joyforum.uib.no

This is the same image after being processed using AI. The motif has been expanded. Thus, large parts of this scene are not from reality but are constructed from many random sources. Although the expression in this image is seemingly innocent, the artists here demonstrate how easily images can be manipulated to give a false impression of an event or a place.

Want to know more?

The exhibition it will be fine: https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/555119/555120

Some relevant news stories in Norwegian

NRK: https://www.nrk.no/nordland/hvem-eier-bilder-laget-av-kunstig-intelligens_-opprop-mot-bilder-laget-av-ai-1.16220177

NRK: https://www.nrk.no/tromsogfinnmark/kunstig-intelligens-i-photoshop-gjor-det-enklere-a-manipulere-bilder-1.16426422

Journalisten: https://www.journalisten.no/medieforsker-mener-debatten-om-ki-bilder-er-litt-hysterisk/573606

The exhibition it will be fine: https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/555119/555120

Some relevant news stories in Norwegian

Further reading in Norwegian