Amidst a sea of AI-generated sameness, art, design, photography and filmmaking are undergoing a profound creative revival. Responding to growing consumer demand for tactile, sensory real-life experiences, exciting fashion and art collaborations, analogue image-making, surrealistic set design and awe-inspiring public art installations celebrate the theatrical side of making.

Renewed reverence for hands-on making and rich materiality is spurring a joyful celebration of human-made artistry, and creatives are signing statements against the practise of AI content scraping. Rejecting mass production, homogeny and shortcuts in favour of technical process, slow design was key at 3 Days of Design 2026, where installations focused on craft, process and material experimentation, showcasing the labour, time and expertise that go into shaping every product.

While analogue making is enjoying a rightful resurgence, many artists and designers are successfully merging tech with traditional craftsmanship. Positioning AI as an ideation partner can empower artisans to push boundaries, test prototypes and practise more sustainable production.

While many artists are quick to condemn AI as a tool that replaces human work and creative processes, new research has proven its power as a design collaborator. Far from churning out AI slop, many contemporary artists’ work leans in on brain rot and provides thoughtful commentary on our growing need to live with AI.