Art in the Age of AI

By Lucy Rhee ‘28

In a world of 15-second TikTok trends, where does a 400-year-old opera stand? This question recently sparked a massive cultural debate thanks to Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet. While expressing his concern regarding the decreasing number of movie-goers, Chalamet explained his hesitation to work in a field like opera or ballet where people try to “keep this thing alive” even though “no one cares about [it] anymore.”

Although phrased in a misleading way, his fear for the future of cinema stands valid. The world is moving very quickly toward digital, short-form content, and visiting the theater - whether for a film or a stage play - is at risk of becoming a niche hobby.

Not many people sit down to read a book from cover to cover anymore. In fact, there really is no need, with all the AI-generated summaries available online. We’ve reached a point where AI-generated movies and shows are no longer just a plot point in a Black Mirror episode. Technology is evolving at an exponential rate; AI can now generate entire scripts, voices, and even digital actors. Nonetheless, the resulting products always seem somewhat off-putting. The polished plotlines, unnatural textures, and lack of stylistic flaws makes for an unpleasant experience for audiences. It makes us crave for something real.

Appreciating art goes beyond consuming plain beauty or entertainment. Every brushstroke, every shade, and every deliberate placement carries meaning intended by the artist. A single tear from an actor can move an entire audience to share that emotion. It may remind one of a painful memory or offer comfort to another experiencing a similar struggle.

The emotional connection is even more powerful in live performances. They carry a raw, physical risk: there are no second takes, no CGI for special effects, and no autotune to correct a pitch. Everything unfolds in real time, and small variations, unexpected emotions, or even minor mistakes add uniqueness to each performance. Because of this, traditional art forms have the power to evoke emotions and overwhelm audiences in deeply personal ways - an authentic human connection a computer could never replicate.

This emotional power is also why traditional art forms continue to have a lasting influence on modern entertainment. Opera influenced early cinema. Theater techniques shaped modern acting. Classical music inspired countless film scores. Even today’s blockbuster films rely on storytelling methods that were refined on stages centuries ago. Without these foundations, much of modern entertainment would not exist in the form we recognize today.

The impact of social media and artificial intelligence on modern society is undeniable, and the world of entertainment is undoubtedly changing. However, that does not mean traditional art will disappear. Unlike scrolling through a phone, attending a live performance requires time, attention, and presence. In a culture driven by instant digital stimulation, such experiences have become more valuable than ever. Technology may be able to imitate creativity - but it cannot recreate the feeling of hundreds of people sitting together in silence, watching something real unfold before their eyes.

References

Image 1:

Timothée Chalamet Faces Backlash After Saying “No One Cares” About Opera, Ballet: “Words Carry Influence.” (2026, March 7). https://www.thewrap.com/culture-lifestyle/social-trends/timothee-chalamet-online-backlash-opera-ballet-comment/.

Image 2:

Edgar Degas. (1873–1876). The Dance Class [Oil on canvas]. Musée d'Orsay, Paris.