AI as an assistant to the artist: When algorithms lend a hand to artists

More and more artists are using AI (Artificial Intelligence). The advantages are usually obvious: initial ideas can be tested easily, and digital works serve as practical inspiration. While some critics already speak of a threat to art, reality shows that AI can also serve as a helpful assistant.

One thing is certain: there will undoubtedly be a radical upheaval in the art scene, which won't please everyone. However, those who recognize the opportunities and use AI wisely can work more creatively and productively in the future. Because one thing is undeniable: AI is here to stay.

How do artists integrate AI assistants into their work?

AI helps with idea generation

Every work begins with the complex process of generating ideas. While real life often served as inspiration in the past, today it usually starts with initial research online, as digitalization has already taken hold. This also allows one to gain an initial overview of existing works.

AI can be a practical alternative. For example, an AI image generator to create initial works and test ideas based on a few simple terms. Those who don't yet have any ideas can even use AI for brainstorming . But be careful: this helpful tool tends to evaluate almost every idea positively.

Let's look two examples from artistic practice :

In the first example, fantasy art illustrator Lioba Brückner in the video how AI can be used to generate art ideas and reference images.

In this video, the creator of imaginative portraits of strong women discusses her experiences using Midjourney AI to create over 700 images for paintings and commissioned work. She highlights its ability to quickly generate unique and unconventional concepts. The video also addresses the potential advantages and disadvantages of using AI in artistic creation.

The second example is an instructional video art students at HKUGAC how to use the new AI-generated tasks in their art classes. Although it specifically relates to the HKUGAC curriculum, it demonstrates how AI is used in the university's Virtual Assistant program and how this generates new ideas.

Initial templates can be created

The beginning of any artwork usually involves a great deal of work. Some artists therefore rely on stencils or templates they have from previous work. This way, they don't have to start completely from scratch each time. But AI can partially replace this step and often provide a superior 'canvas'.

Those with sufficient experience using AI image generators can create an initial piece in no time, which, after minor adjustments, may already match their own vision. Here, the advantage of digital art plays a key role, as one can experiment with each template as often as desired.

AI can even implement small changes

AI is also becoming increasingly adept at implementing specific changes. The color of a jacket can then change from red to blue in a very short time, without the artist having to manually rework it. For this reason, some tools allow users to pre-select the desired areas to be changed. This reduces the potential for errors.

Ultimately, this can be a somewhat extensive trial-and-error process, as an artist's specific vision is often difficult to grasp. If AI still encounters problems with implementation after several attempts, it is generally wiser to choose the most favorable interim result and make final adjustments manually.

Which AI tools are particularly popular with artists?

There are now a number of practical AI tools that can support artists in their daily work. It's important to first distinguish between "generalists" and "specialists." The first category includes well-known tools like ChatGPT, Gemini , and Meta AI. They all offer image generation functions.

However, for artists, specific AI assistants like Midjourney , Stable Diffusion , and Adobe Firefly are particularly suitable . They are significantly more flexible and generally deliver superior results in the creation process, which can be refined more precisely. On the other hand, they lack brainstorming capabilities because they are not comprehensive language models.

Ultimately, it can be beneficial to use generalist tools like ChatGPT for brainstorming and then have initial creations implemented using Midjourney or Adobe Firefly. This allows artists to better integrate the advantages of both types of AI assistants into their daily work, enabling them to be even more creative and productive.

How can AI assistants be used safely?

Most tools are directly accessible via the internet, but this can come with limitations. On the one hand, there are legitimate privacy concerns, and on the other hand, some content and AI assistants are not yet available worldwide, but only in selected countries.

Both problems can be avoided with a VPN (virtual private network). It masks your IP address, thus ensuring greater privacy. Furthermore, artists can connect to a VPN server abroad and thereby bypass restrictions. Thanks to its ease of use, no technical expertise is required.

Auction house Christie's auctions AI art for the first time

AI-generated art has attracted a lot of criticism in recent years, but there are also developments in the other direction. For example, in early 2025, the auction house Christie's held its first online auction consisting entirely of AI-generated artworks. One artwork fetched a sale price of US$277,200.

On average, however, revenues fell significantly short of expectations. This shows that people still value traditional art and are more willing to pay a premium for it. AI-generated works can serve as inspiration or a starting point, but ultimately, it is usually the artist behind the artwork who makes the crucial difference.

Conclusion: AI should be viewed more as a practical aid

AI can be helpful in many aspects of an artist's daily life, from brainstorming to testing initial ideas. This can simplify many time-consuming work steps and lead to more satisfying results. The key is to meaningfully integrate AI assistants into existing processes to increase productivity.

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor, and passionate blogger in the fields of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Graduated with a degree in web design from university (2008). Further developed creative techniques through courses in freehand drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market gained through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with key players and institutions in the arts and culture sector.

www.kunstplaza.de