Aesthetic Computers: Art Against Redundancy

Abstract This paper explores the intersection of art and artificial intelligence, focusing on the aesthetic and philosophical implications of AI -generated art. While systems like Generative Adversarial Networks ( GAN s) and diffusion models have grown increasingly sophisticated, they often replicate rather than redefine traditional notions of creativity, originality, and beauty. By examining the aesthetic and philosophical dimensions of AI -generated art, we highlight its tendency toward redundancy and its alignment with commodified, crowd-pleasing aesthetics. Drawing on Immanuel Kant, Vilém Flusser, and Walter Benjamin, we argue that AI art struggles to break new ground, instead reinforcing familiar styles and contributing to what we term “redundancy” in the art world. Finally, engaging with the concepts of Spielraum and homo ludens , the paper advocates for reimagining AI as a tool for artistic play and experimentation, capable of fostering innovation and challenging technological determinism.