What Is Art? Who Are the Creators? Does It Still Matter?

Centuries of art history assumed a human author. That assumption is now in question. As AI systems produce novels, visual art, and film at industrial scale, the definition of creativity — and the economic architecture that rewards it — is fracturing in real time. In this talk, Lev Manovich traces how generative AI is reshaping the way culture is made and shared. Looking at both art history and today’s digital platforms, he examines a simple but urgent question: when machines can generate endlessly, what still makes human creativity stand out?