AI-Supported Dance Performances Provoke Audiences to Seek Creative Merit and Meaning in AI's Artistic Decisions

Abstract

With the development of tools using generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to create art, stakeholders cannot come to an agreement on the value of these works. In this study we uncovered the mixed opinions surrounding art made by AI. We developed two versions of a dance performance augmented by technology either with or without GenAI. For each version we informed audiences of how the performance was developed either before or after they had taken a survey on their perceptions of the performance. There were thirty-nine participants (13 males, 26 female) recruited and divided between the four performances. After the survey, we conducted focus groups with a subset of audience members. Results demonstrated that individuals were more inclined to attribute artistic merit to works made by GenAI when they were unaware its use. Our work contributes to the understanding of the design and reception of AI-made art.