AI Is Mid: Understanding the Limitations of Artificial Intelligence in Art

CF McHale
May 24
3 min read

Updated: Jun 9

AI is mid. That’s it. That’s the post.

I don’t want to beat around the bush; that’s just the way it looks, sounds, and reads. Is AI the next Metaverse? Probably not, but the hype smells the same.

AI is not an artistic process. It’s a technology process. One is about discovery. The other is about delivery.

In 2025, artificial intelligence is on fire—writing songs, painting portraits, producing podcasts, generating voices, and mixing beats. Some say it’s the new artist. But let’s be honest:

It’s mid.

Why AI Is Mid

Why is AI considered mid? Because that’s its nature. It’s not broken. It’s just built to average.

The whole point of AI is pattern recognition. This can be great if your goal is to churn out 10,000 Drake knockoffs or generate perfectly adequate cat drawings. However, great art doesn’t come from mere patterns. It emerges from breaking them.

Process Is Everything

Ask any artist, and they’ll tell you: the process isn’t just how art gets made. It’s about how the artist evolves as well. The struggle, the doubt, the discovery—it’s all part of the creative journey.

Without the process, there’s no meaning. And the process is never mid. It can’t be—it’s too personal for that.

AI doesn’t struggle. It doesn’t doubt. It doesn’t change its mind halfway through a song because it suddenly remembered something its mother said in 1984.

It’s not anti-art. But it is anti-process. That means it lacks the essential element that differentiates genuine expression from mere decoration: the feels.

Will AI Improve? Sure. But That’s the Problem.

Of course AI will get better. It will become faster, sharper, and “smarter.” Soon, it may even generate perfect Bach fugues, flawless oil paintings, and Oscar-worthy screenplays in a fraction of a second.

And yet, it still won’t matter.

“Perfection is not the goal of an artistic process. It never was.”

In fact, perfection might be the death knell for art.

True art is flawed. It reflects human experience, complete with its quirks and imperfections. It is deeply incompatible with machine logic.

So yes—if AI is placed in the hands of an artist, it can produce something intriguing. But here’s the twist:

The moment the artist fully engages with the creative process, AI finds itself left in the dust. Because no artist will settle for mid. The more AI approaches greatness, the more artists realize it’s unnecessary.

So What’s the Answer?

Be an artist. Use the tools available. Challenge those tools. Even break them if necessary.

But never confuse the tool for the process. Never confuse the machine for the soul. And never mistake the mid for the masterpiece.

“AI can be trained on every artist. But it will never become one. Because art is the act of becoming.”

The Future of AI and Art

Understanding the Limitations

As we move forward, it’s essential to acknowledge the limitations of AI in creative fields. While it can assist in various tasks, its capabilities hinge on existing patterns. This leads to repetitive outcomes rather than innovative ones.

Embracing Human Creativity

Humans have the innate ability to think outside the box. We can weave personal experiences, emotions, and cultural contexts into our work. This unpredictability is what makes art resonate with people.

Striving for Authenticity

AI may provide tools for artists, but the true magic happens when human creativity blends with technology. By utilizing AI responsibly, artists can enhance their work without losing their unique voice.

The Importance of Process

Continuing to emphasize the creative process over the final product is crucial. The journey of creating is where the heart of art lies. Encouraging exploration and experimentation will lead to groundbreaking art forms.