Beside illustration, photography, and video, “AI art” as joined the creative fields, offering artists new possibilities for 2026…

“AI art” is the ability to create images or videos though I want to highlight a small distinction between “AI” (AI assistants) that’s embedded everywhere and “AI art” as a means of artistic expression. Having access to creation tools doesn’t make you an artist.

During past three years, AI has been transforming digital design, streamlining workflows, and enabling infinite creative variations. In 2026, it will effectively contribute to complex creative projects, acting as a powerful assistant, while human creativity remains essential.

Thanks to rapid tool progression, designers will focus more on creative decisions, direction, strategic choices, and less on repetitive tasks often tied to production : recommended presets, content-aware fill for images and videos, landscape mixer, « find similar », sound remix, select subject, character animator, body tracker, anomaly detection, fast mask, segment compare, vectors, transcript-based lip sync, performance optimization, auto reframe, predictive subject line, Photoshop camera, sky replacement, neural filters, amplifying human creativity and customer experiences… according to Adobe Sensei.

While it’s difficult to establish a precise list of emerging trends in image and video creation, thanks to my unique position as an Instagram observer of AI artists, I can offer you a quick review through a selection of art pieces that is also one of the very first AI trend reviews…

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1. AI Blur Is The New Sharp

Blurry AI images defies the pursuit of photorealistic perfection. Widely encouraged by image generation tools, in 2026 blur will continue to serve multiple purposes:

→ focus blur adds authenticity,
→ motion blur creates dynamism, 
→ surreal blur evokes dreams, nostalgia, and provides emotional depth.

2. Never Enough AI Glitters

After conquering fashion, design, and social media, shimmers and glitters will continue their rise in AI art for 2026. It represents bold self-expression against conformity, symbolizing celebration, optimism, and creativity.

Part of the ’90s aesthetic revival, glitter offers a joyful return to carefree experimentation and more fun…

3. Classic AI Renaissance

While gen AI creates visually stunning, emotionally evocative work, AI painting and fine art, remain underestimated… This niche may require some knowledge but the images are truly striking.

A few AI artists are developing original, timeless universes that should inspire those seeking new directions. For 2026, the possibilities are vast.

4. Natural AI Surrealism

Surrealism naturally emerges in AI generation and becomes accessible through current tools: liberating thought from reason’s control, expressing the unconscious and dreams spontaneously, ignoring norms or logic. This movement values psychic automatism, chance-driven creativity, and challenging established values—revealing superior reality through imagination, art, and poetry.

5. Playful AI Pop Culture

Pop culture icons will continue inspiring AI artists in 2026. Rich in color, simple in symbolism, and highly effective, pop iconography fuels vibrant remixes of pop heritage alongside genuine new creations—a jubilant universe of visual celebration to follow.

6. AI Fashion Goes Wild

AI fashion will explode creatively in 2026, spanning photorealistic proposals to surrealist experiments. Anonymous creators developing rich personal universes will increasingly attract brand attention—an exciting space to watch as stylistic possibilities expand and true creativity runs wild.

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