Life is art.

Pablo Picasso knew that all real artists died poor. He knew that to make money, he needed a gimmick. His gimmick began with cubism, but it evolved into being his personality, his “brand”.

Today, popular art is all about gimmicks created to get attention and make money, not to understand something. Real art, true art, is created from a person’s need to understand something. Something about themselves, the world around them, or a bit of both. Their art is simply how they think and organize their thoughts out loud. (Propaganda is created to make someone else understand something.) For a real artist, there might a desire to be recognized, but that does not corrupt their creations. Their frustration is rooted in finding the patience while waiting for someone to see what they are doing.

Philosophy is an art. Science is an art. Science follows a specific process, but it is still an art nonetheless. The only difference they have from painting or sculpture are the canvas and the medium.

A real artist will use any tool available in their pursuit to understand. Thus, true art is not threatened by AI. Gimmicks are threatened by AI. The people who have made millions from their particular gimmick and built a brand are terrified of AI. Terrified of being exposed and losing their revenue stream.

In the end, AI will challenge real artists to focus their efforts and adapt, and destroy the charlatans who will not be able to evolve. It is also a lesson for our society. So much has become driven be the desire to make money. So much has become a gimmick. Justice is now a gimmick. Education is now a gimmick. Healthcare, privacy, and security,.. all gimmicks.

If we start pursuing true efficiency and strong communities, the first shock will be in discovering how much is actually superficial facade, nothing but gimmicks.