Ethical, Legal, and Cultural Implications of AI-Generated Art: Practical Propositions and Future Research Directions

The integration of generative artificial intelligence (AI) into the art world signifies a major technological and cultural transformation that challenges traditional notions of authorship, creativity, and value. AI has enabled the creation of artworks that rival human creativity, leading to their growing acceptance and economic significance. However, this rapid adoption raises critical ethical, legal, and cultural questions. This study conducted topic modeling based on 170 articles in the field of AI-generated art and identified eight distinct topics. The results highlight the ethical, legal, and cultural challenges as well as the technological applications of AI-generated art. This study proposes a series of actionable propositions aimed at addressing these challenges: independent valuation of AI-generated art, active mitigation of biases, legal reforms, recognition of human contributions, and encouragement of interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition, this study identifies key areas for future research, such as cultural impact of AI-generated art, enhancing the reliability of AI systems in creative processes, development of fair and transparent AI systems, and exploration of AI–human collaboration in creative processes. The dual contribution is in providing a coherent understanding of the ethical, legal, and cultural dimensions of AI-generated art while also setting a forward-looking agenda for scholars and practitioners to explore the evolving role of AI in the arts. By addressing these multifaceted challenges, this study aims to ensure that AI-generated art is valued not only for its technological achievements but also for its thoughtful integration into the broader cultural and artistic traditions that have shaped human society.