AI-Generated Images and Influences on Scenographic Design

The advent of generative AI represents a significant transformation in image creation. It is essential to explore the implications of incorporating this technology into scenography and to begin dialogues about the fundamental challenges and opportunities arising from this developing relationship. Recent AI tools have demonstrated the ability to produce outputs traditionally considered creative. Systems such as text-to-image generative AI (e.g., Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, DALL-E) automate human artistic execution to generate digital artworks. This paper explores rapid visualisations of set design concepts, aiming to provoke critical introspection regarding the interplay between artificial and human creativity in shaping images for performance design, the impact on the creative process and workflow of designers. Does generative AI introduce a novel aesthetic dimension to scenography? Can it truly amalgamate diverse historical and contemporary styles to create visuals that are both evocative and unprecedented?