The Brill Family Foundation has launched a new initiative aimed at fostering collaboration among artists working with artificial intelligence. This program, known as the AI Artists Alliance, seeks to explore the intersection of technology and art, emphasizing experimentation and community over traditional individual artistic practices. The initiative follows a successful exhibition titled “Symbiosis or Schism? The AI-Human Odyssey” that highlighted the growing interest in how AI can enhance creative expression.
Executive Director of the Brill Family Foundation, Oriana Sanders, explained that the exhibition served as a catalyst for this new alliance. “We just felt like, why stop there? We’ve got this momentum going,” she noted, emphasizing the foundation’s aim to harness the excitement surrounding AI in art. Instead of a conventional residency, the alliance is structured as an accelerator focused on collaborative efforts.
One of the primary goals of the AI Artists Alliance is to address the common concerns surrounding AI’s potential to replace human creativity. Sanders believes that AI should be seen as a tool for collaboration rather than a threat. She remarked, “There are so many more kinds of AI than just generative, like Mid Journey or ChatGPT… There are so many more layers of it.” This perspective highlights the essential role of human vision and skill in creating impactful AI-generated art.
The current cohort of participating artists includes Ann Cutting, David Mew, and Neal Von Flue. Their selection was based not only on their artistic capabilities but also on their collaborative potential. “Their motivations and inspirations behind what they do… were actually more important considerations,” Sanders explained.
Building Collaborative Dynamics
In December 2023, the first in-person meeting took place in Santa Barbara, bringing together the selected artists, curator Alice Scope, and art educator Simon Quiroz. The day was intentionally designed to foster trust within the group. “Artists tend to be very individual and solitary with their practice,” Sanders said. Establishing group dynamics was crucial before moving forward with collaborative projects.
The artists began to formulate a collective vision or “theme” for their work. “We wanted to have some unified vision of what the artists are working on as a group,” Sanders stated. Following the initial meeting, the AI Artists Alliance has maintained momentum through monthly Zoom sessions, allowing artists to share updates and refine their shared focus.
Sanders noted a surprising overlap in the artists’ interests, particularly in areas like data visualization and crowdsourcing. The foundation plans to reconvene in person after six months, with hopes of extending the project over an 18-month to two-year period.
Impacting Local Communities
The Brill Family Foundation aims to utilize this initiative to elevate artists rather than replace them. Sanders emphasized the importance of informing communities about emerging career pathways that integrate AI without undermining artistic integrity. “We’re looking to let people know about career pathways that don’t replace artists, but that elevate artists,” she said.
For those interested in following the progress of the AI Artists Alliance and its initiatives, more information is available on the foundation’s website at peterbrill.net. The foundation is committed to exploring how art and technology can coexist and flourish in a rapidly evolving landscape.
