What do AI Art and Engineered Hardwood have in common?

I had shared a post recently of a painterly cow in a field with a young woman I had crafted in the vision of a friend of mine, and someone asked me if I sold my art. I happily replied yes, and I let her know that as AI was my artistic canvas I could re-create the image to whatever size she might love to have the image made into.

The communication went silent.

I chuckled to myself, I know many people do not consider AI art "real" art, so I was not too shocked.

However as I pondered this over a warm cup of tea, I was reminded of the many times in the recent past where new technologies that emerged were initially rejected as inferior, "fake" even....

We see time and time again, anything new seems to bring a mixture of mis-trust and skepticism all bundled up together, often creating polarizing opinions and sadly rifts between us as rather than discussion.

This tension is not unfamiliar; it has echoed throughout history when innovative solutions challenged traditional norms. Examples of this include the introduction of engineered hardwood flooring, lab-grown diamonds, and quartz countertops—each facing initial resistance and labeled as "fake." And as I saw and felt by this person's reaction to my own art, I recognized a similar narrative unfolding with AI-generated art.

The Stigma of the "Fake"

I remember when I worked in construction & design, when engineered hardwood flooring was first introduced, many of the designers and clients saw it as an inferior imitation of solid wood (OK, I might have to). It was seen as a compromise—a product for those who couldn't afford or didn't appreciate the authenticity of natural hardwood. Over time though, perceptions began to shift. Engineered hardwood had it's own traits that were actually really great: greater stability in varying climates, larger plank widths possible, easier installation, and a more sustainable use of natural resources. It became more and more evident that this new technology wasn't about cheapening the experience but enhancing it and expanding on our options, some will always prefer solid hardwood, and others engineered..it does not have to be an all or nothing buffet.

Then as I kept chewing over this in my head, it hit me that similarly, lab-grown diamonds initially carried that same stigma of being "unnatural." They were perceived as lacking the romance and uniqueness of their mined counterparts. Inferior want to be's. Yet, lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds (honestly I am not sure what the hoopla is about diamonds, they are pretty but let's be real....they're a well marketed rock - if there is anything spectacular about them, it is as a marketing case study - and yes, I do own some, from my younger years lol). Slowly but surely, they to have gained acceptance as a legitimate, even preferable, alternative, for some and not for others, again an expansion of choices not a replacement.

Now I was on a roll, as I searched for other examples of this phenomena - Eureka! Quartz countertops faced similar skepticism when they first entered the market, going up against the timeless appeal of natural marble. Enthusiasts of natural stone argued that quartz lacked the unique veining and natural beauty of marble. However, quartz has proven itself to be a durable, low-maintenance, and a versatile material, often outperforming marble in terms of practicality for modern living. The ability to engineer consistent patterns and colors has allowed quartz to carve out its own niche, appreciated for both its beauty and functionality. I personally only want Quartz now, I mean who wants to be petrified about using your countertops...When I cook, I cook!

AI Art: The Next challenged innovation?

So it would seem that AI-generated art finds itself in a similar position to it's second cousins thrice removed as listed above. The naysayers argue that it lacks the soul and creativity of human-made art, dismissing it as a mere novelty or tool for those who lack true artistic talent.

Maybe, maybe not. AI art is creating an outlet for those who did not feel they could be creative, offering a platform to explore and expand their own creativity. It challenges the "rules" of what is possible, allowing us to play and explore new artists, styles, and even combine styles to create our own unique blend.

In my own experience, the use of AI art has reconnected me to painting and artistic practices I had long since left behind. Knowing there are no limits has pushed me to expand my mental boundaries of what is possible, reigniting a passion for creativity and artistic expression.

Now, I have always been a writer, poetry, short stories, the written word is my canvas... and I have I dabbled in painting here and there, mainly in abstract as I was terrible at faces, yet now that I have taken courses on AI art generation, those parts of me have expanded to new heights and I am able to bring things to life that I never could have otherwise, and each final production has taken me time and attention to details, colors, essence and meaning...Isn't that what art is all about?

The ability and pleasures of expressing ourselves, of connecting to our imagination and finding healthy outlets to convey our emotions, feelings and the stories we have within us that want to be told and shared?

Challenging Our Beliefs

So why do we seem to always resist all that is new?

Well, the resistance often stems from a fear of the unknown, perceptions and biases as well as a deep-seated attachment to tradition and the "known" or the need for certainty...when I worked in Corporate management this was an everyday challenge with employees as we introduced new categories, duties, heck even office layouts. People do not seem to feel safe in the midst of "change".

Yet, it is through challenging these beliefs and being open to new ideas that we can truly explore and innovate. We must ask ourselves: Why do we cling to certain notions of authenticity or value? How do our categorizations of "good" or "bad" and do we allow ourselves to evolve these perceptions over time? Are we limiting ourselves by not allowing the lens we look at to be so rigid, so black or white.

I will admit when AI imagery and openai first came out I was skeptical, I was concerned we would lose our authenticity, our ability to connect, to be creative. That is why I joined the training program(s) I am in, at that stage I had no intention of doing anything more than poking around and seeing what was possible. I wanted to learn and see for myself what it was, how it worked and make an informed decision for myself, as I learned many years ago when in leadership; Inspect what you expect.

I also felt it was very important that if this was to be a new part of life, and it is, then I wanted to be the one using it, and not be used by it. This only happens through understanding, and making informed decisions based on our own experiences.

Little did I know that it would send my creative side into a joyous frenzy of exploration, imagination and allow me to reconnect to a deep passion I had let go of during my corporate hustle life. And not only in AI art, I am painting more, sketching, writing more again..and heck I launched a new company. It is like the limits I had imposed on my self and what was possible, were given a jolt and I was reminded to stretch my own views on what is possible, for myself.

So, as we saw engineered hardwood, lab-grown diamonds, quartz countertops, AI art each represent a step forward—an opportunity to rethink our standards and embrace the benefits of technological advancement. To support us to see that innovation does not mean losing touch with tradition; rather, it means building upon it to create something even more remarkable, right alongside the beauty of other mediums of art & expression.

in fact, as part of an AI Artistry community I am a member of, many of the members are painters, photographers, writers and many who always wanted to be creatives and yet did not feel they were able to, and they bring this into the most amazing parts of their lives in ways that would be nearly impossible otherwise. It is a space we share, celebrate and challenge each other to expand and explore different styles, mediums, and subjects....we are all always amazed at what each person's interpretation brings...I feel very lucky to be part of such a vibrant and creative groups of artists.

So to sign off, as we continue to explore and push the boundaries of what is possible, may we remain open to the potential these innovations hold above judging them on first glance. In so doing, we allow ourselves to appreciate the richness and diversity of human ingenuity in all its forms—be it through the floors we walk on, the jewels we cherish, the surfaces we use (or make a mess on), or the art that inspires us.

Sara Chevalier

Mindset Maverick | Spunky Digital Brand Mixologist