AI in Art: How Creative Machines Integrates AI Into the Creative Process

We have recently gotten questions about how we use AI at Creative Machines. Some of those questions come from curiosity. Others come from real concern about what AI means for artists and creative work. After a recent college workshop where we walked through our process, it felt like a good time to share a clearer, more complete picture of how we actually use these tools at Creative Machines.

What We Do

First, a little clarity about what we actually do. At Creative Machines, we design and build large-scale art, interactive exhibits, and rolling ball machines. Our projects often combine light, color, and movement to create experiences that invite participation and exploration.

Our work moves from concept through engineering, fabrication, and installation, all within our studio. It is hands-on, collaborative, and deeply rooted in both artistic vision and technical problem solving.

In reality, AI is already part of the broader creative landscape. The question is not whether we use it, but how. At Creative Machines, we integrate AI into specific parts of our workflow in a way that supports (rather than replaces) the role of the artist. There are important questions about how AI fits into creative work, and we take those seriously.

How We Use AI

We do not use AI to create final artwork. Every project we produce is the result of hundreds of hours of human work. That includes concept development, design, engineering, fabrication, and installation.

AI is used in limited parts of the process to help us move more efficiently, but it does not determine the outcome. We are also intentional about how we use it.

We do not use AI to copy the style of other artists. We do not present AI-generated images as finished work. The ideas, compositions, and final decisions all come from our team.

AI helps us move faster through certain steps, but the work itself remains fully authored and built by people.

Sketching Is Still Central to What We Do

We do not employ a dedicated sketch artist, but that is because our entire team is sketching all the time. We sketch on whiteboards, on scraps of paper, and in digital tools like Miro. Sketching is how we think through ideas, test directions, and communicate quickly with each other and with clients. It is a constant part of the process.

What has changed is how long we spend refining early sketches. AI helps us move through that phase more quickly. This is not about replacing sketching. It is about expanding it.

Working faster at this stage allows us to explore more ideas and share more options earlier in the process. It also gives us more time to focus on the parts of the work that require deeper attention.

The Role of the Artist

AI changes some parts of the process, but it does not reduce the role of the artist. If anything, it shifts where more time and energy can go. With some tasks taking less time, artists can focus more on developing ideas, researching concepts, and engaging with the people and places connected to a project. In public art especially, that time matters.

It also allows for more flexibility. Ideas can evolve further because less time is locked into early development stages.The core of the work stays the same. It still relies on judgment, experience, collaboration, and care.

Why We Are Open About It

We understand the hesitation around AI. Questions about authorship, originality, and creative labor are important, and we share many of those concerns. That is why we are intentional in how we use these tools and why we are open about it. Transparency matters to us. Our work is collaborative and public-facing, and trust is a big part of that. We believe it is better to clearly show how AI fits into our process rather than avoid the conversation.

For Creative Machines, AI is a tool within a much larger, deeply human process.

If you are interested in seeing how this work happens in practice, we are always open to continuing the conversation or welcoming people into the studio.

Questions?

Our experienced team of artists, architects, project managers, engineers, and fabricators are waiting to hear from you. Whether you have questions, are requesting a quote, or need information about a custom interactive experience, we want to hear from you!

About Creative Machines

At Creative Machines, we believe that the key to successful projects lies in effective collaboration with our clients and their communities. Our highly effective hands-on engagement process allows us to fully understand our client's needs, goals, and vision, and also work closely with their community as we design and create the artwork installation that they will know and love for many years to come. With our process, we ensure that our clients are involved in every step of the way, from ideation to final product delivery, resulting in a final product that not only meets but exceeds their expectations. We are committed to delivering innovative, high-quality, and engaging experiences that bring your ideas to life.

published on April 14, 2026

© Creative Machines