Artificial Intelligence and the Re-definition of Creativity: Rethinking Authorship and Aesthetic Value in Contemporary Art

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has significantly transformed contemporary artistic practices, raising critical questions about creativity, authorship, and aesthetic value. This paper examines how generative AI systems challenge traditional human-centered models of artistic creation that have long shaped art theory and aesthetics. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from art history, philosophy of art, and digital humanities, the study explores the shifting boundaries between human agency and machine participation in the creative process. It argues that artificial intelligence should not be understood merely as a technical instrument but as a co-creative agent that reconfigures established notions of originality, intentionality, and artistic labor. Through a critical analysis of selected AI-generated artworks, digital exhibitions, and contemporary theoretical debates, the paper investigates how meaning and value are negotiated in works produced through human–machine collaboration. Particular attention is given to emerging questions of authorship, intellectual ownership, and the evolving role of the artist in an era of algorithmic creativity. The discussion further situates AI-driven art within broader cultural and ethical frameworks, addressing concerns related to transparency, algorithmic bias, and the commodification of creativity in digital economies. By proposing a revised conceptual framework for understanding creativity in the age of artificial intelligence, this study contributes to ongoing debates in contemporary aesthetics and digital art studies. The findings suggest that rather than diminishing human creativity, AI expands the creative field by enabling new aesthetic practices, critical interpretations, and modes of artistic engagement. This research offers valuable insights for scholars in the arts and humanities and provides a foundation for future interdisciplinary inquiry into the cultural implications of artificial intelligence in artistic production.