In a few words, AI labeling means clearly identifying a product, business, service, or work of art as using or not using AI. But this isn’t as simple as sticking a label on a work of art. Reliable, industry-wide AI labeling requires an in-depth system that covers in detail the extent and type of AI use. It also requires blockchain and other Web 3.0 technology to be fully functional and standardized. At Ai-id, we’re introducing the world’s first multi-faceted AI labeling system, with the art world as one of the industries set to be most affected by this rollout.

One area where AI labeling is sure to have an effect is in the world of art galleries and marketplaces. What art collectors and others in the industry want first and foremost in regards to AI is transparency. While the influence of artificial intelligence in the art world isn’t going away any time soon, individuals should have the power to make their own decision on what they’ll support. And AI labeling allows this by providing fully transparent information on the origin of specific works of art.

Some art professionals are ecstatic about the use of AI in art, while others firmly reject it. With AI labeling, everyone has the opportunity to find art that supports their values. From both the buyer’s side and the artist’s side, and everyone in between, AI labeling allows the opportunity to communicate your unique vision of what art can be. And of course, in this scenario, art galleries aren’t forced to take a stand on whether or not they support AI art; instead, visitors are encouraged to learn about the origins of their favorite art and make their own decisions on a deeply personal level.

Labeling also helps by providing access to specific information on the tools and technology used during the artistic process. Not only is this important for transparency, but many art enthusiasts are interested in the unique path each work of art took. In summary, having access to the full story of a piece of art’s origins only deepens the viewer’s appreciation and understanding on another level.

AI labeling will play an increasingly important role in art marketing. In the most obvious sense, AI labeling allows artists who focus on 100% human-made art the ability to showcase this on their website and social media. Using the special Green Ai-id, artists can highlight that their art was created solely through human creativity, which can be a requirement for some art buyers. And with third-party verification, these labels provide proof of a work of art’s AI status, giving further credibility beyond just the artist’s word.

However, there’s a wide range of art tastes, and buyers and art enthusiasts aren’t all looking for the same thing. AI labels provide an opportunity for art buyers to find the unique art that matches their taste, whether that art is made by humans, AI, or a mix of both. Using AI labels, artists can find their niche in the market, and find the buyers that are most interested in their approach. Finally, AI use in art is incredibly varied. While some artists may use AI for touching up a work of art, or use AI tools as part of their research process, this doesn’t mean their work is entirely AI-created. AI labels, like those at Ai-id, provide much-needed clarification and specifics about each artist’s process. As a result, artists can use their AI labels to showcase their story and development, and craft better communication with their supporters.

While AI labeling will have an outsized impact on art marketing and collecting, it will also affect the future evolution of art itself. Just as artificial intelligence innovation led to a flood of new tools for artists to use, AI labeling will lead to the growth of new perspectives on art.

In much of the current debate around AI, the two sides are presented as black and white. In this debate, you’re either for or against AI art. However, the reality isn’t that simple. Because AI labeling allows everyone to see the specifics on AI use, it widens the debate. AI can be used in creative ways that actually enhances the artistic process; it can be used for idea generation, research, editing, and even in the business and social media aspect of art. Just like the introduction of professional digital art tools in the 90’s and 2000’s changed the art world forever while also adding new possibilities, the same can be said for AI art tools.

As the art community and clientele begin to learn more about these unique possibilities through labeling, new perspectives on the future of art will emerge. In fact, we’re just seeing the beginnings of this process, and this open access to information will further influence how the art world evolves in the coming decades.

Finally, it’s important to explore the impact AI labeling will have on art ownership and copyright. If artists want to declare their work as AI-free, labeling and 3rd party verification makes it easy to prove their work is original. Currently under US law, art created with generative AI isn’t able to be copyrighted, so it’s important for artists to be able to verify original work.

In addition to this, our technology at Ai-id makes it easy to analyze the origins of a particular piece of art, by providing a public record of AI technology used on each piece. This can be essential if legal challenges or disputes arise. How does this work? By using blockchain and IPFS technology, information for each piece will be kept safe in a secure, digital document. Once an artist uploads the info identifying each piece, this data remains and can’t be altered. Both artists and the public have easy, permanent access to a public record of AI use. As such, any debates about origins of a piece, when it was made, who the creator was, etc. are resolved with a simple search.

It’s clear that AI labeling will have a monumental effect on the art world in the coming years. Artists will take advantage of this up-and-coming technology to protect their work, communicate with their customers and market their art. Art galleries and industry professionals will use AI labeling to create a more transparent marketplace, and art buyers and supporters will use labels to seek out art that aligns with their values. Finally, labeling AI art will only expand the conversation and lead to future innovations and free exchange of ideas. Rather than dividing the art world between AI and anti-AI, these new labeling efforts will only deepen and clarify our understanding and appreciation of art as a society.