Podcast available online at wissensART – Elisabeth Nöstlinger in conversation with Andreas Schlichtner about AI and art.

Fotocredit: Photo by Andreas Schlichtner & The Meaningful Noise Collective at the Austrian Cultural Forum Warsaw

Andreas Schlichtner in conversation with Elisabeth Nöstlinger (podcast on wissensART from July 20, 2026)

Link to the podcast: https://wissensart.at/2026/07/ai-und-kunst-bedrohung-oder-chance/

The future of art will likely be shaped by increasing collaboration between humans and intelligent machines, as artificial intelligence has emerged as one of the most disruptive phenomena in the modern art world. While algorithms generate astonishingly authentic images and auction houses rake in millions through AI systems, the cultural sector faces an existential question: Is this still craftsmanship, or is it art in its own right? The fusion of technology and creativity has divided the global creative community into enthusiastic pioneers and concerned critics.

Experimental projects involving interactive AI systems are already demonstrating how dynamic dialogues can emerge between artist and machine. Crucial to this process are not only technical advancements but also a conscious approach to the social and cultural implications.

In summary: Artificial intelligence presents both a challenge and an opportunity within the realm of art. It significantly expands creative possibilities while demanding a critical examination of the associated aesthetic, ethical, and societal questions. Integrating AI into the artistic process is by no means a substitute for human creativity; rather, it represents an expansion and reinterpretation of what art can signify today and in the future. In this new era, it is vital to harness the potential of AI responsibly while simultaneously honoring the unique human contribution to art.

Elisabeth J. Nöstlinger discusses AI and art with Andreas Schlichtner. The conversation takes place in the context of the exhibition "AI and its Consequences – Artistic Positions on Post-Digital Futures," originally held at the Kulturforum Warsaw and now on view at the AG18 Gallery in Vienna until the end of August.

A note on the photograph: It shows the output of a camera-equipped facial recognition system trained via an LLM; the system measures the penis length of individuals in the room based on gender. This work is by the Meaningful Noise Collective, a researcher and an artist from the ISTA Institute (though the institute itself is not involved in the project).

Photo: Andreas Schlichtner (right), Daniel Mazanik (center), Sebastian Pfeifhofer (left)

In the podcast series "Kunst im Gespräch" (Art in Conversation), artists who have drawn inspiration from their collaborations with Austrian Cultural Forums and embassies share their stories every two weeks.
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