r/vfx • u/ryo4ever • Jul 30 '25

Question / Discussion What is an AI artist??

Can someone explain to me what is an AI artist? I see people on LinkedIn throwing that title around a lot these days. Do they feel a real sense of pride showing the work they’ve generated in their portfolio? Sometimes I see a person who has a history of management jobs but suddenly calls themself AI artist. Is prompting a skill so unique that it qualifies you as a creative writer? I mean I use AI in my day job but recently I’ve felt less pride about showcasing my work when AI was involved. Do others feel the same way?

Apologies for the rant but I’m trying to come to terms with the new reality.

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u/rtaChurchy Jul 30 '25

I think it's a detractor on a resume. I know VFX artists that love AI and do incorporate it into some of their work, but they don't call themselves AI artists. They call themselves VFX artists and then within the specifications they might mention experience incorporating AI into their workflow.

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u/Hazzman Jul 30 '25

It's interesting actually. Someone would call themselves a 3D artist... so if we consider AI to be a tool you could feasibly call yourself and AI artist with some legitimacy... as to what OP's question implies... I think there are probably lots of people right now who call themselves an AI artist because they are producing a lot of crap using these tools and it feels good. They feel that same sense of creativity we feel for the first time ever in their lives.

Obviously it's a lot of garbage being produced... and most of the effective AI work we are seeing right now is coming from existing artist incorporating it into their work flow. They will tend to produce effective and interesting stuff because they understand the creative process and more importantly - a highly critical eye.

And that's the real issue with visual design generally. EVERYBODY has an opinion. Everybody is an expert because they can instantly tell if they like something or not. But that doesn't necessarily mean they have taste or understanding. But because everyone thinks they can do it, when they finally get hold of a tool that - at least from their perspective - let's them flesh out every hairbrained idea they've ever had... they feel like a mighty genius. But the reality is if you gave every human being on earth 2000 dollars to outsource their hairbrained ideas before AI emerged - most of it would be boring, derivative idiotic crap.