@stuartk,
I would not be suprised if AI art outsells human art sometime in the near future. But derivative art probably outsells "original" voices today. Let us remember that Vincent Van Gogh's brother Theo was an art dealer. Vincent was luckier than most because he had an outlet. He sold one painting in his lifetime and that was to a friend, or for payment for lodging, or something. Most great artists die penniless, and then Jeff Koons is a multi-millionaire. So, when we are talking about great art, what are we talking about?
Back to music. Composers like Schumann (both Robert and Clara), Rachmaninoff, and Essa Pekka Solonen have to perform for their money. Their artworks (compositions) don't make them enough money. I'm sure AI could do better than them when it comes to making money from compositions. AI could probably spit out fifty a day.
What about "good" art. In regards to AI (and probably humans, too) we need to talk about consciousness. Nobody knows what it is. Great thinkers like Stephan Hawkings fear that AI will become conscious. Think Hal in 2001. But nobody knows really what comprises consciousness. I have my theories, but I don't have math to prove it. Ironic. Back to @mahgister's bits.
@asvjerry's optimism is a tonic to some degree. From my perspective, as you know, we must hope for more feminine energy to be unleashed. We're dying under the dark gravity of male-think. Music and other arts by their nature are feminine whether written by men or women. Remember how poets used to invoke the Muse at the beginning of their works?
