Week 3 Blog

 

https://www.britannica.com/story/the-rise-of-the-machines-pros-and-cons-of-the-industrial-revolution


The first Industrial Revolution, which took place in the 18th to 19th century, began a period in history where society heavily relied on the automation of machinery and technology. This heavy reliance on technology would continue growing as each century passed. Walter Benjamin, a German philosopher, would go on to describe the heavy dependence of technology as “That which withers in the age of mechanical reproduction is the aura of the work of art” (Benjamin). Furthermore, the concept of technology destroying the authentic human experiences is also described in the film Her.



https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1798709/

Her is a film that involves the main protagonist, Theodore, getting into a romantic relationship with an artificial intelligence. In the film, Theodore describes Samantha as “Well, you seem like a person, but you're just a voice in a computer.” (Her). The film expands the human relationship with technology beyond labor, but exposes how humans are dependent on technology and AI in our everyday personal lives. Despite the growing reliance on AI, many people are still skeptical of its human authenticity as a published blog by Tara Roberts would say, “While humans may treat social robots like real people or animals, the technology is a long way from replicating actual human interaction.” (Why Do We Respond to Social Robots). 






https://theasiancut.com/post/the-legacy-of-hayao-miyazaki-so-far/

Although the skepticism of AI is alarmingly expressed throughout society, its implementation has grown, especially within the world of art. “But the reality is that robots and machines are increasingly a part of our lives, and artists are exploring the possibilities of incorporating these technologies into their creative processes.” (Panopticon). This quote explores the notion that, as a society, we have adapted to the growth of AI and technology, which helps us further express our art and creativity.



Its growth has created controversy across various art platforms, including the renowned anime studio Studio Ghibli. AI has been able to replicate Studio Ghibli artwork within a matter of seconds, something that would have taken humans days to draw. This controversy has prompted lawmakers and the public to question the authenticity of art created with AI. “Now, lawmakers in Japan are planning on potentially taking action over the “Ghiblification” of images.” (Li) Whether or not there is a lawsuit or copyright infringements that will be placed upon AI art, it is evident that in today's society, the usage of AI is no longer a tool but a necessity.


​"Artists and Robots: Exploring the Intersection of Art and Technology." Panopticon, 13 July 2023, https://panopticon.am/artists-and-robots-exploring-the-intersection-of-art-and-technology/.


​Li, Joyce. "Japanese Lawmakers Are Considering Making AI-Generated Studio Ghibli Images Illegal." Hypebeast, 19 Apr. 2025, https://hypebeast.com/2025/4/japanese-lawmakers-considering-making-ai-generated-studio-ghibli-images-illegal-news.


Benjamin, Walter. "The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction." Translated by Harry Zohn, edited by Hannah Arendt, Illuminations, Schocken Books, 1969, pp. 217–251. PDF file. https://web.mit.edu/allanmc/www/benjamin.pdf

Her. Directed by Spike Jonze, performances by Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, and Rooney Mara, Annapurna Pictures, 2013.


"Why Do We Respond to Social Robots?" Stanford Report, 9 May 2023, https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2023/05/respond-social-robots.​

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