“Our art has always been a fusion of the analogue and digital, drawing from both the past and the future. In this context, incorporating new technology feels like a natural progression for us.”
In a world where technology and art are increasingly intertwined, Rob and Nick Carter have seamlessly blended traditional techniques with cutting-edge innovations. Over their 20-year collaboration, the husband-and-wife duo has explored the intersection of analogue and digital media, creating work that pushes the boundaries of artistic expression. Their practice incorporates camera-less photography, neon, sculpture, and time-based media, while harnessing new technologies to create what once seemed impossible.
Following the publication of our second-annual Luxury Insights Report on Art, AI, and the Future of Creativity, in association with ArtTactic, we are sharing the full contributions from the expert commentators who helped shape the report.
Read on for a conversation with Rob and Nick, conducted in the autumn of 2024, which explores how AI and robotics are reshaping the art world and how these technologies have transformed their creative process and understanding of originality.
How has AI and robotics expanded your artistic expression?
By embracing AI and robotics, we’ve come to see technology as an essential tool rather than a limitation. It provides us with more freedom of expression, allowing us to explore new creative possibilities. While working with cutting-edge technology, we also learn from the machine itself, which pushes our artistic boundaries. Each project is an exploration - you're never quite sure where it will lead. Ultimately, though, the autonomy and creative vision remain with the artist, ensuring that technology serves our artistic intent rather than overtaking it.
What role do you believe human touch plays in your art now that machines are part of the process, and how do you maintain a balance between the two?
We see ourselves working in harmony with machines - whether it’s a camera, CGI, 3D printing, or robotics. Our art has always been a fusion of the analogue and digital, drawing from both the past and the future. In this context, incorporating new technology feels like a natural progression for us. The human element remains central; the machine is simply a tool that helps execute the artist's vision. We are involved at every stage, from conception to final execution, so the creative control always lies within the artist’s hands.
How do you view the concept of originality in a world where AI can create? Can AI enhance the authenticity of art, or does it dilute it?
Originality still stems from the artist. Machines can only act on what humans have taught them, meaning the inspiration behind AI-created art originates from the material world as envisioned by the artist. While there is undeniably ‘bad' AI art out there, the originality is defined by how the tool is used. Art has always been referential, drawing from past influences, and AI is simply another tool that speeds up execution without replacing human creativity. The final result, whether made with CGI or AI, is still shaped, controlled, and edited by the artist’s hand and mind.
What do you think the future holds for AI in the art world? Do you see it becoming an essential tool for all artists, or remaining more niche?
The future of AI in art is multifaceted. While some artists may remain critical of its use, creating work that comments on its impact (a techno-pessimist perspective), others will fully embrace it. Regardless of the stance, AI will remain a topic of discussion as it isn’t going away. We encourage artists to be open to AI and explore its potential rather than shying away from it. Whether it becomes essential or niche, it will be part of the artistic landscape.
With AI becoming more prevalent in art, what ethical considerations should be addressed to protect both artists and the creative integrity of the medium?
Transparency is key - artists should be upfront about their use of AI. Artists have always faced the issue of being copied, and this remains a concern. The challenge for fine art and high art is to stay ahead, continually innovating and evolving. In visual arts, there has always been a mutual exchange of ideas, with blurred boundaries between creators. The goal is for artists to push the envelope and remain ahead of the curve while maintaining their unique voice in a world where AI continues to evolve.
