Mark Cuban tried to dunk on a music teacher over AI art but got schooled by a real artist

Mark Cuban found himself in a Twitter showdown over a post defending artificial intelligence. The American billionaire strongly advocated for AI, saying it allows creators to be more creative and chase dreams that were once far-fetched due to financial and skill limitations. In fact, Cuban accused artists who stand against AI of wanting to control the creative process. His post, however, didn't sit well with Robert Komaniecki (@komaniecki_r), an artist and a teacher from California, USA. He called out Cuban, a major investor in AI, for his ignorance about the real threats AI poses to real artists. Komaniecki narrated the entire Twitter spat on an Instagram video, which he posted on December 28.

Komaniecki was pissed seeing a multi-billionaire defending AI when the whole world, particularly the artist communities worldwide, is dealing with its repercussions. As Mark Cuban made it into his comments section to defend his narrative, Komaniecki let loose. In a befitting reply, he wrote, "I have grown to believe that excessive wealth does something to your brain that is analogous to a serious head injury." When Cuban asked him to justify his stance, the artist asked for $100k/hour as a consultation fee so he could explain why AI is anything but a blessing in disguise for the artist community.

Komaniecki said that AI is built into almost every software today, so people aren't given a choice, and they end up using it whether they want to or not. He didn't end his arguments there and went on to say that billionaires like Cuban are always surrounded by sycophants, who are trained to agree with them. "What else could compel a person like Mark, without a creative bone in his body, to see a bunch of artists saying that AI sucks and be like, 'Nah, you're incorrect?'" Komaniecki asked. The artist, who has a PhD in music, said it was hilarious to see Cuban come at him about art — something he is an expert at. "He is literally incapable of recognizing that he's not an expert in something," Komaniecki added.

While it may appear to be a sarcastic take on Cuban's willful blindness, research does prove that wealth corrupts our brains. Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario found that people, as they rise to power, may suffer from brain damage and lose their ability to empathize, according to the Daily Mail. The researchers used transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses magnetic fields to stimulate nerve cells in the brain, and found that power has a strong effect on the "neurocognitive system underlying behavior." The study, led by Dr. Sukhvinder Obhi, however, couldn't specifically recognize why power has such a negative impact on our brains. Likewise, another study by Professor Dacher Keltner at UC Berkeley also found that people in power act as if they have suffered a traumatic brain injury. In fact, Keltner said people act more impulsively and struggle to understand others' perspectives or feelings as they gain power.

Reacting to the video, @invisible.flaneuse wrote, "Mark Cuban's definition of 'gatekeeping' is actually 'talent'— people without artistic or writing or coding or whatever kind of talent can use AI to enter a creative field. But real gatekeeping is really about money and power. And the billionaires are pushing AI on us so they can amass more money and power — so they can gatekeep."

@itsteresacarrizo commented, "Your eloquence is next level, sir — if the general population had had teachers that explained stuff as easily as you just did, the world would be a different place." @marilynmylrea.art wrote, "As a visual artist with three degrees, I also think that AI is very bad for creative artists, as it's basically stealing all the sweat and souls from real artists and totally ignoring copyright laws. Thank you for standing up to the suits in power."

You can follow Robert Komaniecki (@komaniecki_r) on Instagram for more lifestyle content.

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