Image & Text (special section) | Call for papers: The impact of artificial intelligence on art and design
Introduction
In discourse that comments on the impact of AI in the field of art and design, a large number of papers have been published from 2020 onward that highlight various relational issues between AI and the artist, designer and art educators. Specifically, they comment on the impact that AI will and has had on altering the way art and design tasks are executed and whether it will completely augment processes surrounding creativity and ‘creative thinking’. Indeed, generative AI (gAI) image models are increasingly being used as tools for conceptualisation and visualisation as a result of their rapid technological advancement and widespread accessibility. Moreover, owing to the devastating rate at which AI has penetrated visual communication practices and education, it is not surprising that the literature seems to negotiate the relationship between the artist/designer and AI in the communication or representation process.
For instance, Shi et al. (2023) make the case (and cite several researchers who agree) that although AI will radically alter the manner in which visual communication is conducted, the impact of AI will be on augmenting human creativity processes, not replacing them. Irbite and Strode (2021) suggest that there is very little indication that artists and designers will be replaced, but rather that as much as 39% of the visual communication process will be automated by AI in the next two decades. Sreenivasan and Suresh (2024) agree and discuss potential productivity gains to these creative industries when AI is used as a tool for digital transformation in the conceptual thinking stages. Li et al. (2024) take a similar view and explain that while the ongoing development of AI technology has created uncertainty surrounding issues of plagiarism, creative ownership, (un)ethical use of AI, and cultural misrepresentation, AI technology will take up a largely supportive (rather than substitutive) role in visual communication practices.
Our call for papers
With the above in mind, we are pleased to announce a call for papers for a special section of Image & Text focusing on the intersection of AI, art & design, and art education. In particular, this special issue explores the transformative nuances and role of AI in reshaping creative practices, educational methodologies, as well as the ethical, cultural, and societal implications of these advancements.
We therefore invite researchers, educators, artists, designers, and interdisciplinary scholars to submit original research articles, reviews and/or case studies that address the evolving relationship between AI, art and design. We especially encourage those who participated in EVC's AI Media Innovations, Applications, Visual Culture, Challenges, and Future Trends conference (2024) in Nairobi to submit. We also extend an invitation to practitioners in the fields of art, design, visual culture and other fields in the (visual) arts to submit non-peer reviewed ‘opinion pieces’ relating to the theme.
What is interesting to note is that little, if any, of the existing literature relates to, or is published by, authors in the global south and Africa in particular. The aim of this special section is to explore the collaborative creativity between humans and AI. Furthermore, it aims to explore the ethical and philosophical implications of reinterpreting the impact of AI in art, design and heritage, particularly (but not exclusively) within the African context. For this special section, we also seek papers that interrogate the impact of generative AI, its accessibility and inclusivity in art and design education, and potential challenges experienced by authors who intend to submit. We further encourage (visual) case studies of AI integration in creative and educational projects that offer a counter weight to existing perspectives and publications on the above mentioned topics surrounding AI in art and design.
Important dates and further information
- Submissions open: 02 April March 2025
- Submission of abstracts: 30 April 2025
- Notification to authors/contributors: 14 June 2025
- Submission of full manuscripts: 06 August 2025
Further dates will be distributed to successful applicants.
For more information
- about the scope of Image & Text please see: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15us_31An3RzquN_K6zMCvKLEVz6417FB/view?usp=drive_link
- The journal’s submission and style guidelines are given here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CvSb1lpFHxRpe0a1JonaOO2sgZLoT60j/view?usp=sharing
- Authors must sign a publishing agreement on submission of their manuscript, available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iw0gmVU2T3WrDrPrOj0mgXWWjloUhaON/view?usp=sharing