FALL EDITION 2024
ISSUE #0
INTERVIEW WITH
- Eric Clavier
- X Machina Flora
- Infrarouge
- Faedriel
- Marta Pang
- TSK
- Know Equilibrium
- Sares
-
Hanna Inaiah
- Hannes Hummel
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04. Faedriel
AI ART THERAPY: WHERE CREATIVITY MEETS HEALING
- November 22, 2024 by ArtiAI MAGAZINE
Faedriel, a clinical psychologist and AI artist, is leading the way in blending technology with mental wellness. Through his groundbreaking AI art therapy, he’s helping people tap into their emotions and unlock deeper levels of self expression. By using AI to create immersive digital art, Faedriel’s therapy approach makes healing accessible and personal, especially for marginalized communities. His belief? AI art isn’t just about creativity—it’s about empowerment and emotional growth. As more people discover the transformative power of AI art therapy, Faedriel is shaping a new, hopeful frontier for mental health.
HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE CREATIVE PROCESS WHEN WORKING WITH AI?
For me, the creative process with AI begins with my mind’s own internal algorithm—a fusion of experiences, memories, and subconscious im pulses. I view AI as a manifestation of the human collective unconscious, echoing Jung’s concept that our shared experiences and archetypes are now being expressed and explored through technology. In essence, I believe AI art serves as a catalyst, bringing to the surface the latent, unex pressed material within an individual, nurturing it into something tangible and meaningful.
Growing up immersed in the worlds of World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy was pivotal in my so cial and cognitive development as a queer au tistic kid. These experiences continue to inform my aesthetic sensibilities and creative process today. I see immense potential in AI art not just as a tool for personal expression but also as a powerful force for public health and community building. The visuals of elves, fantasy, and my thology in my work are intentional—they are a foreshadowing of a protopian digital world where the metaverse becomes a space for collective growth and healing.
HOW DOES YOUR BACKGROUND IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY INFLUENCE YOUR DIGITAL ART?
For me, engaging with AI art tools is about ele vating these levels of play to a higher level of abstraction, democratizing who gets to participate in the act of creation. Modern affective neuro science, particularly Jaak Panksepp’s research, has confirmed that all mammals, including hu mans, have an inherent need for play, resonat ing with Maslow’s earlier insights. As AI begins to interface with our PLAY systems, it holds the potential to enrich these experiences by person alizing and diversifying how we engage in play, whether through games, creative tools, or learn ing environments. However, this integration also brings concerns about the risk of AI encourag ing addictive behaviors or diminishing the self directed nature of play. The challenge, as I see it, lies in ensuring that AI enhances our playful experiences while maintaining the voluntary, joyful essence of play that is vital for emotional and cognitive well-being.
Additionally, much of my art is informed by the concept of cuteness—a strategic choice rooted in evolutionary psychology. Using cute characters is intentional; it’s designed to lower an individual’s defenses and increase their receptivity to the art itself, especially considering the current stigmatization of AI art. I see it as my social responsibility to spread pro-AI messaging through characters that people can love and attach to, creating a bridge of empathy and understanding in a world where AI is often misunderstood.
WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU ENCOUNTERED IN MERGING AI TECHNOLOGY WITH THERAPEUTIC PRACTICE?
One of the challenges I’ve encountered in merg ing AI technology with therapeutic practice is that clinicians on the front lines of care often notice the benefits and innovations of these tools before the research and engineering communi ties catch on—this has been a consistent pattern throughout history. Anecdotally, I’ve observed many of my clients experience clinically significant benefits when engaging with AI tools—not only in the act of creation itself but also in how it facilitates identity exploration and creative expression. However, a current challenge lies in the ongoing exploration by founders and developers on how to formally bridge AI art with the clinical world through inno vative tools. While there is substantial research on the use of VR tools in therapies like expo sure therapy and biofeedback, the ability to create entire 3D immersive worlds with AI art tools could soon revolutionize mental health care. We aren’t quite there yet, but I have full faith in the transformative potential of these technologies.
WHAT ADVICE OR ENCOURAGEMENT WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN PURSUING AI ART
My advice to anyone interested in pursuing AI art is simple: take the risks, dive in, and treat AI art as the playground that it is—experiment and see what unfolds. Yes, AI art is currently stigmatized; for instance, the CEO of Procreate recently said, “I f*cking hate generative AI.” While I respect the choice not to engage with these tools, such messages can be harmful, especially to the many artists who are finding empowerment, creative identity, and even mental health benefits through AI art.
It’s crucial not to internalize the negative rhetoric that surrounds AI art. Don’t let it dissuade you from exploring these tools and discov ering their potential. Take up space and think about this from a glitch feminist perspective as articulated by Legacy Russell. Glitch feminism encourages us to embrace the errors, the unexpected outcomes, and the unconventional paths as opportunities for growth and empowerment. In the context of AI art, this means celebrating the ways these tools can disrupt traditional norms and expand the boundaries of what’s possible in creative expression. AI art is art, and taste is the new skill.