Around the turn of the millennium, as personal computers developed the capability to run more advanced programs, the art and illustration markets experienced a revolution. Programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Corel Paint suddenly enabled artists to create images at an unprecedented speed and scale. However, the impact of these technological breakthroughs also brought new challenges. The influx of new artists and the speed of production led to increased competition and decreased pay across much of the illustration industry. Artists were forced to adapt to new mediums and expectations.
Fast forward to today, and the art world is once again being shaken by digital technology, this time with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creation of art. With AI art generators, anyone can now create art with just a few words. This technology has ignited a deluge of new debates and controversies regarding the nature of art and originality.