Creativity Meets Code: How Newfoundland Artists Are Grappling with AI

Lately, I’ve been having the same conversation over and over—with friends, artists, and anyone who’s ever picked up a paintbrush, camera, guitar, or film script. It always starts the same way: “So… what do you think about AI in the arts?”

In Newfoundland, that conversation’s been turning into a full-blown community debate.

The truth is, AI is no longer just helping us filter photos or tweak playlists. It’s now creating full-length songs, writing stories, designing images, and even generating film scenes. And while some folks in the arts community are curious—or even excited—about the possibilities, others are worried that the human element of creativity is getting lost in all the code.

So let’s dig into what’s going on in our little corner of the world.

It’s Learning from Me Without Asking

Newfoundland’s visual artists have been some of the most vocal about the rise of AI-generated art. I spoke with one painter from St. John’s who said she stumbled across an online image that looked just like her work but hadn’t made it. It was created by an AI trained on thousands of images, possibly including hers.

There’s a real fear that AI mimics original styles without permission, rubbing many people the wrong way.

On the flip side, some visual creatives use AI as a sketchpad. They input a few prompts to spark ideas, then take it from there by hand. For them, it’s like having a robot muse that never sleeps.

But most agree: if AI is going to borrow from artists, it should at least ask first and give credit where credit is due.

Through an AI Lens

Photography is going through a bit of an identity crisis. AI can now generate stunning “photos” that look real, down to the glint in someone’s eyes and the wrinkles in their coat.

Some Newfoundland photographers are saying this could diminish the value of capturing real moments, especially for commercial shoots. A client might ask, “Why hire a photographer when I can make a photo from a prompt?”

But there’s another side to the story. AI is already saving photographers hours in post-processing, helping with retouching, lighting corrections, and even removing distractions. One wedding photographer I spoke with said AI helped her clean up hundreds of photos in half the usual time.

Still, many are asking: If everyone can create authentic images, how do we protect the work of those who capture what’s real?

The Sound of the Future—or a Bad Cover?

Now this one hits close to the heart—music is the soul of Newfoundland. With our history of storytelling and folk ballads, the rise of AI-generated music feels like a robotic echo of something deeply human to some.

Musicians are watching AI churning out songs in every genre, mimicking popular bands and even “writing” lyrics. Some local artists are concerned that this flood of synthetic music could push independent voices off streaming platforms and eat into royalty pools.

But others see promise. I chatted with a producer who uses AI to build beats faster, allowing more time to focus on the emotional storytelling behind the music.

Even still, most agree that AI may be clever, but it doesn’t know heartbreak, joy, or longing like a human does.

Lights, Camera, Algorithm

Film is another frontier where AI’s presence grows, and filmmakers in Newfoundland are watching closely.

Some use AI to quickly edit footage, generate storyboards, or prototype visual effects. It’s a huge time-saver, especially for small indie teams with tight budgets.

But there’s concern too: deepfakes, AI-generated actors, synthetic voices… it all raises tough questions. If a film is 90% machine-generated, is it still a human story?

Local filmmakers call for clear guidelines to protect creative jobs and maintain trust with audiences.

Balancing Promise and Responsibility

The truth is, AI isn’t all good or all bad. It’s a tool. But it’s a powerful one—and we must be intentional about how we use it.

In Newfoundland, conversations around regulation can't start soon enough for some. If the government is exploring policy frameworks, privacy guidelines need to be updated, and schools need to discuss how to teach the next generation of creators to use AI responsibly.

Artists want to feel safe, knowing their work won’t be copied without consent. At the same time, many are excited by the doors AI can open.

It’s not about rejecting technology but using it with integrity.

So, where does that leave us?

I think we’re at a creative crossroads. AI can help artists dream bigger, move faster, and experiment more freely, but it should never erase the human spirit behind the work.

Our creative community in Newfoundland has always been full of heart, humour, and grit. As AI becomes a bigger player in the arts, that legacy matters more than ever.

Let’s ensure that whatever future we create is still unmistakably ours.