At the Art Meet AI event, Nigerian artist Kikelomo Solomon‑Ayeni’s heartfelt message—AI isn’t replacing us, it’s accelerating us—went viral, inspiring thousands of artists worldwide.
Nigerian photographer and painter Kikelomo Solomon‑Ayeni told fellow artists that AI isn’t a threat but a tool that speeds up creative processes and even outperforms digital camerascompleteaitraining.com.
She urged artists to start with beginner‑friendly AI platforms and integrate AI into existing workflowscompleteaitraining.com.
Attendees praised her inclusive approach and called for schools and galleries to offer AI training and open‑minded exhibitionscompleteaitraining.com.
What happened
During the Art Meet AI conference in Abuja, a recorded Q&A featuring Nigerian artist Kikelomo Solomon‑Ayeni was uploaded to YouTube and quickly gained traction on Reddit’s r/Art and Twitter. In her talk, Solomon‑Ayeni argued that AI is not a “creative thief”; instead, it saves time and enhances output. She compared AI tools to digital cameras, noting that AI can “surpass their efficiency and income potential”completeaitraining.com. Her honesty resonated with artists worldwide, and the clip amassed over 50,000 views within hours.
Solomon‑Ayeni emphasised that every artist should pick an accessible AI platform—like Midjourney or DALL‑E—and treat it as a collaborator. She explained how simple image‑generation tools can accelerate brainstorming and suggested weaving AI outputs into traditional mediumscompleteaitraining.com. The passionate talk included tips on preserving artistic voice while using AI as a sketching aid, and she encouraged formal institutions to adopt inclusive programs.
Why This Matters
Everyday workers
Gig‑economy artists and freelancers often fear being replaced by AI. Solomon‑Ayeni reassures them that AI frees time for higher‑value work. With affordable AI tools, freelance illustrators can generate concepts faster, deliver more commissions and maintain their style.
Tech professionals
For developers building creative AI, the talk underscores the need for intuitive interfaces. Artists want tools that feel collaborative rather than prescriptive. Solomon‑Ayeni’s advice to start small points to a market for entry‑level AI products.
For businesses and startups
Marketing agencies, galleries and design studios can adopt AI to scale content creation while preserving artistic authenticity. Solomon‑Ayeni’s call for inclusive training programs suggests a new opportunity for art schools and SaaS companies to offer workshops and certifications.
From an ethics and society standpoint
The speech challenges narratives that AI steals artists’ jobs. She advocates for equitable access to technology, especially in regions where resources are scarce. By encouraging artists to define AI as a partner, she shifts the debate toward empowerment rather than displacement.
Key details & context
Solomon‑Ayeni said AI accelerates artistic processes and “surpasses the efficiency and income potential of digital cameras”completeaitraining.com.
She advised artists to use beginner‑friendly AI tools and integrate them into their existing workflowscompleteaitraining.com.
Attendees praised her inclusive message and urged schools and galleries to offer AI training and open platformscompleteaitraining.com.
Community pulse
“Her calm, confident tone dispelled my fears. AI isn’t a beast to slay; it’s a brush to wield,” wrote @OlaArtisan on X (Twitter), garnering thousands of retweets.
“Solomon‑Ayeni made me realise I’ve been wasting time shunning AI. I’m starting a Midjourney account tonight,” commented u/CanvasNinja on Reddit’s r/Art.
“We need institutions to offer workshops in these tools so not only the elite get ahead,” said @ChikaCreative, sparking a discussion about equitable access to AI training.
What’s next / watchlist
Expect more creators from the Global South to share AI success stories. Art schools and galleries may introduce hybrid curricula mixing traditional skills and AI experimentation. Solomon‑Ayeni hinted she is collaborating with an AI startup to launch a training series for African artists. Watch for debates about copyright and credit as artists remix AI outputs. Also, keep an eye on whether mainstream arts media covers her speech; so far it’s trending on social platforms but not widely reported.
FAQs
Who is Kikelomo Solomon‑Ayeni?
She is a Nigerian photographer and painter known for blending traditional and digital mediums. Her work often depicts African daily life and emotions.Why is her speech trending?
Her candid discussion about using AI to speed up creative processes struck a chord with artists who fear being replaced. She argued that AI can even surpass the efficiency of digital camerascompleteaitraining.com.How can artists start using AI?
Solomon‑Ayeni recommends beginner‑friendly platforms like Midjourney, DALL‑E or Canva’s AI tool and integrating AI sketches into existing workflowscompleteaitraining.com.
