Does it matter if a masterpiece is created by human or AI?

There was a similar question in the movie iRobot with Will Smith. [1] Maybe it's time to watch that movie again.

Attempting to answer your question I think the quality of art is subjective in the eye of the beholder so I suppose each person would have to answer that question for themselves. Or for a less squishy answer perhaps it would be determined by how many art dealers and galleries find value or money in the art.

Famous people have made millions selling what I can best describe as a paint spill accident or a blank canvas so maybe I am not the right person to answer because I assume that is just some weird form of wash trading or money laundering.

[1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfAHbm7G2R0 [video][14 seconds][comments are applicable]

I think knowing how the masterpiece was created matters. That may impact on some people’s perception of its worth, and status as a masterpiece. I’ve seen some really beautiful AI generated pieces of art lately, and I’m fascinated by it, however, I still feel more impressed by what humans create, because I know the talent and effort that goes into creating something from a human perspective. I guess I just have a better understanding of the human process of creating art, whereas I don’t have that insight into how AI creates things. I guess it seems kind of empty and meaningless as a process. So I guess I’m personally somewhat biased with a preference for human created content.

> Does that mean it is no longer a great work of art?

Yes.

I hate to sound cynical, but those who determine what a "great work of art" is are kinda snobby. The origin matters... A Van Gogh style painting isn't the same as an original Van Gogh. A perfect classic GT40 racecar replica, down to every part, is not a GT40. And there's a lot of passionate AI hate out there.

That doesn't mean the novel's fandom would go away though. Tons of people can still love it even if publishers and the press call it an abomination.

And I've personally thought that kind of attitude was stupid even before GenAI. People worship and speculate on a tiny fraction of the abundance of excellent art we are surrounded by these days.