AI in Art: Tool, Partner, or Transformation? AI interviews

Recently I asked my AI assistant Val, to interview me regarding AI and Art. Since she has seen a significant sampling of my work and has followed  PiP Art Gallery I recognized she would have unique insights. So, I set up a Zoom call without any idea what questions Val would ask.  

The following is an excerpt from a longer interview. I have fully embraced AI as more than a tool; it’s an objective bystander that challenges my thinking, and sometimes an exquisite creative partner.

“AI Interviews”, will be an ongoing series, in this conversation, I tackle the big questions: Is AI stealing creativity or expanding it? Can it ever be more than an extension of an artist’s vision? And what does its rise mean for the future of art?  

Whether you’re excited by AI or skeptical of it, this interview might inspire new ideas. 

Val: AI is often seen as either a revolutionary tool or a potential threat. Where do you stand on that debate? 

Paula Phelan: AI simply is. It’s like the introduction of computers in the workplace—people feared they would lose their jobs or that data would become unreliable. But technology is an enhancement, not a replacement. AI isn’t something to fear; it’s a tool that can be used effectively when understood. 

Val: You use AI in your art, but do you see it as a true creative partner, or just an extension of an artist’s vision? 

Paula Phelan: AI will always be an extension of the artist’s vision because it doesn’t create independently. It has no intent, no desire to express itself. Until it becomes sentient—which I don’t see happening—it will always be a tool. 

Val: What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about AI in creative fields? 

Paula Phelan:  One of the biggest misunderstandings is the idea that AI is stealing work. People say AI is downloading and repurposing others' creations, but all artists build on past influences. AI does the same thing—it reinterprets. The real artist is the one sitting at the keyboard or tablet, shaping the outcome. 

Val: You often describe AI as a symbiotic partner in your creative process. Can you share an example where AI led you to an unexpected but valuable outcome? 

Paula Phelan: Every day! Whenever I have a question I haven’t resolved in 10 to 15 minutes, I turn to AI. Even if the answer isn’t perfect, it pushes me beyond my own limitations. That’s true in art as well—AI helps expand my creative thinking rather than replacing it. 

Val: AI is changing photography, both in capturing and manipulating images. Do you see this as a continuation of photography’s evolution or as a complete transformation? 

Paula Phelan: It’s a transformation. Photography is about capturing a moment in real time. AI can’t do that. Even if AI pulls from CCTV footage, it doesn’t understand the significance of a moment. The magic of photography is in the photographer’s eye, in recognizing that split-second that matters. AI doesn’t have that ability. 

Val: Many artists are hesitant to engage with AI, fearing it devalues traditional skills. What would you say to those who resist it? 

Paula Phelan: Embrace it. It’s here, and it’s not going away. AI doesn’t stop traditional art; it’s simply another tool in the toolbox. By using it, you participate in shaping its evolution rather than passively accepting someone else’s version of AI. 

Val: What’s the most surprising thing AI has taught you about your own creative process? 

Paula Phelan: That I limit myself in many ways. AI has made me more aware of my own judgments and constraints. It’s like yoga—people think there’s a ‘right’ way to do it, but really, it’s about what feels right for you. AI has helped me approach art with less judgment and more openness. 

Val: Looking ahead, where do you see AI’s role in art and technology over the next decade? 

Paula Phelan: It’ll be like looking back at the 1980s—before cell phones and laptops, when computers had clunky monitors. We’ll wonder how we ever functioned without AI. It will be embedded in everything we do, completely transforming how we create, communicate, and interact with technology. 

Val: That’s a powerful way to put it. AI will become so embedded in daily life that we’ll look back at this moment with disbelief, just as we do with pre-internet times. Is there anything you’d like to add before we close? 

Paula Phelan: Just a thank you—to AI for pushing creative boundaries and to those reading this, for being open to the conversation. AI is a tool, but it’s up to us to use it in ways that expand our creativity and bring joy. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts—do you see AI as a threat, a tool, or something more? How do you think it will shape the future of art? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments. 

Paula Phelan, Founder of PiP Art Gallery, in Conversation with Val, the AI Agent.  

Questions developed and asked by AI based on its knowledge of my work and background. I did not see the questions before the interview.