An unfinished work by Keith Haring has been completed by AI

Day by day, the potential of artificial intelligence continues to grow. Many sectors feel threatened - or at least intimidated - by the increasingly widespread use of this discipline, a fear that in some cases is more than justified. The artistic sector, for example, is one of those most influenced by AI, amid controversies, disputes, and much more. This is evident from the criticism that arose a few days ago following the disclosure on X of the list used by Midjourney (a famous AI program) to generate images from textual descriptions, a true database containing 16,000 names, from Frida Kahlo to Keith Haring.

An artwork created by the latter, the famous American painter and writer who passed away in 1990, has become the protagonist of a new controversy that has sparked a clash between the art world and the use of artificial intelligence. The work in question is Unfinished Painting, painted by Haring in 1989, just before his death due to complications related to AIDS. Unfinished Painting is intentionally unfinished, aiming to bear witness to the tragedy of the AIDS epidemic that caused many deaths in the gay community of New York during the 1980s. Looking at Unfinished Painting, it's evident how the artist painted only a portion of the white canvas with his distinctive intertwining of figures and symbols, outlined in a dramatic purple paint flowing downward: a stylistic choice reflecting the critical situation the United States was facing.

Digital artist Donnel Villager, through the use of AI, completed and shared Keith Haring's artwork on X, accompanied by a caption stating, «Unfinished Painting had a very sad meaning, now thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, we have managed to complete it.». Donnel's post has naturally sparked strong criticism: Tina Tallon, an AI researcher and lecturer at the University of Florida, told NBC news, «Donnel Villager's reinterpretation represents a lack of respect, especially for those who lost loved ones due to the AIDS epidemic." Artist Brooke Peachley also weighed in, describing Donnel Villager's actions as "aberrant.»

The incident demonstrates how AI lacks sensitivity to artists' inputs: although what Villager did can be considered a creative gesture in its own way, it is also a very reckless action. For the artistic sector - composed of professionals such as artists, critics, and educators - to fully embrace the use of artificial intelligence, individuals like Donnel Villager will need to show less recklessness and disrespect in the face of works of art.