From Automatons to Neural Networks: A Historical and Cultural Analysis of Generative Art

The subject of this research is AI art, a branch of generative art that emerged at the intersection of artificial intelligence technologies and culture. This field transforms traditional notions of authorship, the creative process, and the role of humans by integrating algorithms and machines as active participants. Particular attention is given to the historical and cultural analysis of generative art, tracing its evolution from early mechanical automatons and avant-garde experiments of the 20th century to modern neural network technologies. The goal of the study is to explore the cultural dimensions of AI art, its influence on the perception of creativity, and its role in shaping new aesthetic categories. The research aims to uncover the transformation of artistic practices under the influence of technology and their significance in global cultural shifts. The methodology of the research is based on historical and cultural analysis, an interdisciplinary approach, and philosophical concepts of authorship and originality. Analytical methods are applied to examine examples of generative art and the interaction between technology and contemporary culture. The novelty of this research lies in the cultural interpretation of AI art as a unique phenomenon that redefines creativity, authorship, and human-technology interaction. The study highlights the connection between traditional forms of art and new methods rooted in deep learning algorithms, offering insights into the evolution of the artistic process within a broader historical and cultural context. The main conclusions address the redefinition of authorship in AI art, the role of algorithms as equal participants in the creative process, and the expansion of traditional aesthetic categories through the use of randomness and autonomy. AI art is presented as a pivotal phenomenon in cultural transformations, fostering the creation of new artistic forms and driving a global reassessment of the relationship between art and technology.

AI art, generative art, artificial intelligence, neural networks, digital art, computer technologies, perception of creativity, cultural transformations, problem of authorship, autonomy of art