Artificial intelligence at Arcana

What is artificial intelligence and why does it concern Arcana?

The world is changing rapidly, and many new technologies are emerging. Some bring us great benefits, others are dangerous. Artificial intelligence is changing the world, frightening us, and fascinating us... all at once.

What is artificial intelligence (or AI)?

These are programs or machines whose primary function is to simulate human intelligence. The applications of this technology seem limitless and enable impressive innovations, particularly in the fields of medicine, media, and industry.

Why would this concern Arcana?

Software (such as Dall-E or Midjourney) has been developed in recent years to create illustrations similar to the work of existing artists. Others allow for the writing of stories, from simple short stories to novels. These technologies are imperfect at present, but they are improving at a dizzying pace. Today, it is becoming increasingly impossible to distinguish between a work created by a human being and a machine.

This concerns Arcana for several reasons, notably because many of our exhibitors are directly affected by these new technologies. Many artists today are afraid of seeing their work disappear or are outraged by the lack of a legal framework surrounding AI. Many of our visitors want to be sure they are buying creations made by the hand of an artist and not by an AI.

We have also always intended Arcana to serve as a platform for exchange and discussion. The art world as it has always existed is changing, and it is essential to stay informed and exchange ideas to better prepare for the future.

What is Arcana's position on Artificial Intelligence?

Arcana should be a place of discovery, free exchange, and passion. We are committed to highlighting and supporting everyone working in the field of fantasy and wonder. We have therefore decided not to turn a blind eye to areas of AI where a legal framework would be necessary, while also trying to encourage everyone to take an interest in it, to better understand this new technology. We have therefore decided to follow these guidelines:

The sale of products created using artificial intelligence software will be regulated in Arcana 2025.

To protect our community of traditional artists during this difficult transition, we have decided to prohibit the sale of any product, generated partially or entirely via AI, in the "Artists' Village", "Creator Space" and "Literary Space" spaces. The use of AI tools (e.g. Photoshop fill tools) is authorized even for the final version of the product to be sold. The use of image generators can intervene in the creative process but the entire (100% of visible pixels) of the final image must have been drawn / painted manually (applying filters or color / contrast treatments is not enough, it is necessary to have completely covered the illustration with "brushes"). In case of doubt, we reserve the right to call on experts external to Arcana or to request to see the source files of the works presented. No paragraph of a literary work can have been written entirely by AI software.

The exhibition of works created with AI software will be permitted but must be indicated.

We believe that to better learn to live with this technology, it's important to be able to understand what it's capable of. That's why we allow exhibitors to use AI-generated illustrations at their booth (provided thy aren't in the areas mentioned above). These elements must be clearly marked as having been generated by this type of software through signs that are clearly readable from the aisle and translated into French and English.

Conferences on AI will be organized.

We've also decided to host conferences on artificial intelligence at Arcana. We'll invite experts in many fields directly related to or impacted by AI.

Finally, here's what ChatGPT AI has to say about these new technologies:

ChatGPT: "Ultimately, the relationship between AI-generated art and traditional art is complex, and it's likely that the two will coexist and even collaborate in the future, rather than one replacing the other."