Generative Art (Art Blocks) is ideal for those seeking unique, on-chain provenance and community engagement, while AI-Generated Art (DALL-E 3, Midjourney v6) provides accessible and customizable AI-driven image creation with considerations for copyright.
| Attribute | Generative Art (Art Blocks) | AI-Generated Art (DALL-E 3, Midjourney v6) |
|---|---|---|
| Algorithm Complexity | Varies depending on the artist's coding and design choices; more complex algorithms can lead to more intricate visual outputs. | DALL-E 3: Uses advanced neural networks to generate detailed and contextually relevant images from text descriptions. Exhibits superior creative capabilities, generating higher-resolution images with more detail and fewer artifacts than its predecessor, DALL-E 2. Midjourney v6: Employs advanced machine learning algorithms that better understand and replicate the nuances of real-world textures, lighting, and details, achieving enhanced realism. |
| On-Chain Storage | Generative algorithms and token information are stored on the Ethereum blockchain; approximately 90% of projects are fully on-chain. | Not available |
| Gas Fees (Minting) | Involves paying gas fees for Ethereum network transactions; fees fluctuate, so it's important to check current prices before minting. Mint cost is set by the artist. | Not available |
| Community Engagement | Strong community of creators, collectors, and enthusiasts; the platform uses Discord to announce new project drops. | DALL-E 3: Not available. Midjourney v6: Often rolls out community trials and beta tests, providing a chance for enthusiasts to get early access and contribute to the platform s development by providing feedback and suggestions. Implemented A/B testing, a voluntary initiative where users can actively contribute their opinions. |
| Artistic Control | Artists control the algorithm's design, parameters, and the degree of randomness, but relinquish some control over the final output. | DALL-E 3: Allows users to refine and adjust the generated images, giving them the power to fine-tune the final output to their satisfaction. Built into ChatGPT, which lets you use ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner and refiner of your prompts. Midjourney v6: Stands out for its enhanced understanding of complex and lengthy prompts, allowing for a more nuanced interpretation of users' artistic visions. Enhances the ability to generate images with a more tailored aesthetic, offering users creative control over the style of their outputs based on existing images. |
| Randomness Implementation | Randomness is introduced into the artist's algorithm to produce unique outputs, using the Ethereum blockchain. | DALL-E 3: Not available. Midjourney v6: By utilizing the 'srf random' parameter, users can generate images with a random art style that can be applied across different prompts, which is particularly useful for logo design and brainstorming sessions. |
| Visual Style Variety | Supports a wide range of visual styles, including static images, 3D models, and interactive experiences. | DALL-E 3: Can produce images in a multitude of artistic styles, from photorealistic portraits to abstract art. Masterfully bridges the past and the future, effortlessly weaving together art styles spanning different epochs and cultures. Midjourney v6: Allows users to explore and master new visual styles through a fun and experimental approach. |
| Customization Options | Collectors can engage with the base piece of art and guide the generator to mint their exclusive NFT. | DALL-E 3: Users can tweak and edit generated images by requesting specific changes like altering text, adjusting aspect ratios, or transforming images into different formats. Midjourney v6: Ability to generate customized images allows businesses to create content that speaks directly to specific segments of their audience. |
| Copyright and Ownership | Purchasing an artwork triggers the creation of a unique NFT, a digital asset that records ownership and provenance on the blockchain. | DALL-E 3: Subject to the Content Policy and Terms, you own the images you create with DALL E, including the right to reprint, sell, and merchandise degardless of whether an image was generated through a free or paid credit. Midjourney v6: Has revised its Terms of Service, introducing a significant clause that explicitly transfers the responsibility for any copyright-infringing images produced using its platform onto the user. |
| Platform Longevity | Committed to on-chain preservation of generative art; ensures permanence by storing the generative script and resulting artwork entirely on-chain. | DALL-E 3: OpenAI is actively researching ways to help people distinguish AI-generated images from those created by humans. Midjourney v6: Represents a significant milestone in the intersection of artificial intelligence and digital art. |
| Initial Investment | Includes the cost of ETH to cover gas fees and the minting price set by the artist; minting prices can vary. | DALL-E 3: Fully integrated with ChatGPT Plus, the $20 per month paid version of OpenAI's text AI generator. Users of the free version of ChatGPT can generate two images per day with DALL-E 3. Midjourney v6: GlobalGPT offers an avenue for users to experiment with Midjourney V6 without incurring costs. |
| Secondary Market Liquidity | Has a liquid secondary market, with curated collections selling on platforms like OpenSea; among the top collections on NFTfi in terms of loan volume. | Not available |