Paper ID: 2301.13049

Is Writing Prompts Really Making Art?

Jon McCormack, Camilo Cruz Gambardella, Nina Rajcic, Stephen James Krol, Maria Teresa Llano, Meng Yang

In recent years Generative Machine Learning systems have advanced significantly. A current wave of generative systems use text prompts to create complex imagery, video, even 3D datasets. The creators of these systems claim a revolution in bringing creativity and art to anyone who can type a prompt. In this position paper, we question the basis for these claims, dividing our analysis into three areas: the limitations of linguistic descriptions, implications of the dataset, and lastly, matters of materiality and embodiment. We conclude with an analysis of the creative possibilities enabled by prompt-based systems, asking if they can be considered a new artistic medium.

Submitted: Jan 26, 2023