Practical AI Literacy Checklist for Artists
A studio-ready guide for conscious creative practice
Use this checklist as a self-audit, not a rulebook. The goal is awareness, agency, and integrity.
I. Foundational Understanding
☐ I understand the difference between Artificial Intelligence and Synthetic Intelligence
☐ I know that current AI tools do not possess intent, awareness, or authorship
☐ I recognize AI as a tool, not a creative replacement
☐ I understand that authorship remains human-centered
II. Creative Intent & Direction
☐ I begin each project with a clear creative intention
☐ I treat prompts as direction, not delegation
☐ I refine prompts iteratively rather than accepting first outputs
☐ I make conscious decisions about style, tone, and subject
III. Curation & Authorship
☐ I curate outputs intentionally (selecting, rejecting, refining)
☐ I add original value beyond raw AI output
☐ I contextualize the work with narrative, concept, or meaning
☐ I can clearly explain why the final piece exists
IV. Ethical Use
☐ I understand where my tools source and train their models (at a general level)
☐ I avoid intentionally mimicking living artists without transformation
☐ I am transparent about my use of AI when appropriate
☐ I respect originality and creative labor
V. Professional & Legal Awareness
☐ I understand basic copyright principles related to AI-assisted work
☐ I know how to describe my role in AI-assisted creation
☐ I document my creative process when needed
☐ I stay informed about evolving policies and best practices
VI. Mindset & Growth
☐ I approach AI with curiosity rather than fear
☐ I see AI as an amplifier of creativity, not a threat
☐ I remain open to learning and adaptation
☐ I engage in ethical dialogue within creative communities
Legendary Reminder
Tools do not define artists. Choices do.