Sheila Loewe: "El arte y la artesanía pueden ser un refugio ante la IA"

Sheila Loewe, head of the Loewe Foundation, asserts that in a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly expanding, art, craftsmanship, and poetry can serve as a refuge. She acknowledges her limited understanding of AI but shares an anecdote from a recent dinner with a prominent figure in the AI industry. The AI expert expressed concerns about the potential risks of AI to millions of jobs worldwide, but reassured Loewe that "craftsmanship and poetry are not going to disappear with AI."

Loewe believes that art and craftsmanship can coexist with AI while preserving their unique ability to speak about humanity, our origins, and our cultural identity, transcending advanced technologies like AI.

At the EXPANSIÓN Luxury Forum event, María García Yelo, COO of Christie's Spain, stated that AI can be both positively and negatively utilized. She highlighted the excitement surrounding NFTs initially, but emphasized the importance of human sensitivity, which is irreplaceable. She also warned about the potential negative consequences of misusing technology.

María Dolores Maza, founder of Artsgain, discussed the role of AI in the art world, emphasizing that tokenization of artworks through blockchain technology and fractional ownership is being explored. However, she acknowledged that this concept is still in its infancy and has not gained significant traction yet.

All the panelists agreed that collectors and investors prefer owning unique pieces rather than fractional ownership. Maza expressed optimism about the future of art and craftsmanship, attributing it to the increased awareness of cultural heritage among younger generations. She praised Spain's talented artisans and the support from both public and private sectors, as well as individual patronage.

Loewe, in particular, highlighted the importance of craftsmanship and the foundation's awards in promoting Spain's exceptional craftsmanship and preserving endangered skills.