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Good artists copy; great artists steal: a creative guide

Artists Grapple with Ethical Boundaries | AI's Role in the Debate

By

Tomรกs Silva

Oct 14, 2025, 01:21 AM

Edited By

Chloe Zhao

Updated

Oct 14, 2025, 07:54 AM

2 minutes needed to read

An artist sketching ideas while surrounded by colorful art supplies and sketches

A growing debate among people has surfaced around the controversial saying that "good artists copy; great artists steal." This discussion has intensified following a comment about the blurred lines between artistic inspiration and theft, especially concerning AI's impact on creativity.

Artistic Ethics Under Scrutiny

Commenters are divided over the implications of borrowing in art. Some argue that certain forms of appropriation are essential for artistic progress, while others are critical of ethical violations.

Key Issues at Play

  1. Cultural Appropriation: People highlighted instances of artists like Picasso being criticized for appropriating African art, underscoring the longstanding debate around cultural sensitivity in creativity.

  2. AI Transparency: Several commenters stressed the importance of disclosing AI usage in artistic works to maintain integrity. One person remarked, "If youโ€™re using AI, youโ€™re not an artist Just disclose how it was created."

  3. Personal Accountability: Discourse around accountability surfaced as users reflected on larger ethical dilemmas. A person stated, "People lie about artists all the time. When will you learn?!!??!" further muddying the waters around honesty in art.

Voices in the Conversation

"Yea heโ€™s generally accepted to be a pretty toxic motherfucker," pointed out one commenter regarding historical artists and their legacy, highlighting the complexity of artists' reputations.

Another responder questioned the relevance of unrelated critiques positing that creativity should be celebrated despite its ties to AI technology.

Mixed Sentiments Prevail

Overall, participant emotions run the gamut from defensiveness to curiosity, with many probing the ethical limits of inspiration versus theft. Some even express a willingness to explore how these boundaries might shift with advancing technology.

Navigating Future Artistic Expression

With the evolving capabilities of AI, discussions about originality and creativity in the arts are likely to intensify. As the technology progresses, clearer definitions of inspiration versus theft may emerge, leading to more robust guidelines on AI's role in the creative process.

Potential Developments Ahead

  • โ–ณ Many advocates for full disclosure regarding AI-generated works.

  • โ–ฝ Concerns remain regarding the ethical implications of art appropriation.

  • โ€ป "If you pirate hollow knight or Silksong, we WILL have a problem" - A stark reminder of the piracy debate.

As this interesting dialogue unfolds, the artistic community is left grappling with how to effectively balance innovation with ethical standards. Will new frameworks emerge to better support creativity in the age of AI?