We recently had the chance to sit down with Prateek Arora, a Mumbai-based artist at the forefront of AI-generated art. Known for his explorations of science fiction and Indofuturism, Prateek has been using AI tools to create striking visual narratives that challenge conventional perspectives on technology and culture. Since first sharing his AI-driven art on Instagram, he has built a dedicated following, captivating viewers with surreal imagery and thought-provoking themes.

In this conversation, we dive into how Prateek got started, his views on the role of AI in content creation, and his hopes for the future of Indofuturism - a “cohesive but not reductive” cultural ecosystem. As we chat, Prateek's deep passion for storytelling and visual experimentation shines through, revealing an artist constantly pushing the boundaries of what AI and human creativity can achieve together.

‍

‍

Can you share a bit about your background?

I started off in storytelling, more specifically science fiction. Initially, I wanted to tell these stories visually, so I began using AI tools and posting the results on Instagram. The reaction was interesting, and a community began to form around the work. That has been the core of what I do. I worked at MTV and in entertainment in Mumbai, and over time, I began to explore how to break through conventional storytelling to bring new ideas into the mix. As the technology improved, more and more became possible, especially when it came to telling compelling stories through images. I found AI tools to be very intuitive, almost like thinking and writing visually, which fits with my background in screenwriting and storytelling. Most of my current work is AI-driven, with some post-editing, but it's primarily created using AI. It’s been exciting to see how the industry is noticing the potential of AI art, and I’m figuring out how to bridge the gap between being an online creator and a filmmaker. My goal is to continue pushing these stories into richer, more meaningful mediums, and I’m evolving from an individual creator to working collectively on bigger projects.

‍

‍

How do you retain authenticity in a world so influenced by trends?

For me, authenticity comes from intention. With AI tools becoming more accessible, it's easy to create a lot of content, but the key is to think about why you're using these tools and what message you're trying to communicate. I focus on making deliberate decisions, ensuring that the work reflects my personal vision and purpose. The intention behind the creation is what keeps it authentic, rather than just following trends.

‍

AI is transforming various stages of content creation. From your experience, which part of the movie/show/game development process do you think AI will disrupt the most, and how?

AI will likely disrupt many parts of media creation and production. While it may not completely replace existing processes, it will optimise them and create new roles, just as digital video transformed the media landscape when it became accessible. I see AI creating its own ecosystem with new creators, formats, and aesthetics, similar to how YouTube evolved alongside cinema and television. AI will also impact the creative process. Right now, people are using AI tools to recreate traditional content, but over time, new formats and mediums will emerge that are uniquely suited to AI. The key is that AI will allow for new ways to tell stories and create art that weren't possible before.

‍

What do you believe is the most crucial role for human input? Which skills should creators focus on to best leverage AI's capabilities?

The most crucial role for human input is intention and decision-making. As AI tools become more advanced, the volume of content increases, but it's the human's intention and vision that set meaningful work apart from everything else. Creators should focus on honing their ability to communicate their ideas clearly and making decisions that reflect their unique perspectives. Rather than just generating content, it's important to think about what you're trying to say, why you want to create it, and how you want it to be received. AI is a tool, but the intention behind using it is what elevates a piece of work.

‍

‍

If you could use AI to solve one of India’s biggest challenges today, whether social, environmental, or economic, what would it be, and how would you approach it?

I would focus on how AI could help address the massive inequalities in India, particularly in terms of education and access to technology. The cost of mobile data in India is the lowest in the world, which has brought millions of people online in the past decade. This access to technology has changed the way people live and interact with each other. AI could be used to bridge educational gaps by providing personalised learning tools and resources to underserved communities, helping to level the playing field.

‍

What is Indofuturism for you, and how do you envision this movement evolving? What role do you see yourself playing in shaping its future?

Indofuturism for me is about creating a movement that reflects India’s future by blending our cultural history with futuristic ideas. It’s still in its early stages, but I want it to be something the world recognises as coming from India, with its own unique voice. I see it as an evolving ecosystem—cohesive but not reductive or monolithic. There are so many ways to approach Indofuturism, from visual art to storytelling, and it’s exciting because it lets us explore how technology is transforming our culture while staying deeply rooted in our heritage. Right now, I’m trying to be vocal about it and push the movement forward through my work, blending science fiction, history, and India’s technological advancements. My aim is to make Indofuturism more mainstream, especially in popular culture and entertainment, and to show that India isn’t just part of the global narrative but is leading it in its own distinct way.

‍

On Instagram you posted about the Auzaaris, a migrant community of constructor cyborgs in Mumbai. What message were you trying to convey with that piece? Was the cyborg theme meant to highlight something specific, or was it more of a Sci-Fi aesthetic you enjoy?

I wanted to use the striking, attention grabbing nature of sci-fi imagery and the new creative possibilities of AI to draw attention to something that I felt we had all stopped paying attention to. I’m extremely interested in the idea of cyborgs because, in a way, I believe we've always been cyborgs. We experience the world through technology now, but even fire was a form of technology in ancient times. This piece, however, was inspired by the observation that Mumbai is always under construction, preparing for the future, but the people building this future are often invisible. The Auzaaris are a speculative depiction of transient communities that come to cities like Mumbai to build infrastructure but may never live in the fancy condos they’re constructing. Many of these workers live in poverty, yet their labor shapes the city's future. I wanted to shine a light on this imbalance, using the speculative fiction lens to show how technology intertwines with labor and progress. The cyborgs represent these invisible workers and their relationship to technology as a means of earning their livelihood - something that is all pervasive in modern life and everyone has to contend with - yet such conversations always seems to focus on urban, white-collar concerns. The point is to make people notice the reality of progress - the people building the future that often goes unnoticed. It’s not a blanket positive or negative statement about technology, but rather an exploration of how we talk about progress without acknowledging the people driving it.

‍

‍

In the context of AI-generated art, how do you define originality? Do you believe AI can ever truly create something original, or is it always a reflection of its inputs?

This is a controversial topic, but I see AI as a tool. It’s not sentient; it doesn’t have independent thoughts or experiences. The originality in AI art comes from the human using it. It’s about the intention and agency of the creator. The decisions made in crafting the work, from the prompts to the editing, all come from the person behind the tool. While the AI is part of the process, the originality rests with the human. That said, originality is a tricky concept. What might feel original to the creator could seem familiar to others, so it’s also about pushing your craft, refining your themes, and using these tools in ways that feel distinct.

‍

You’ve talked about 'culture hacking' with AI. What’s a cultural element or tradition that you think is ripe for a modern, AI-driven reinterpretation, but hasn’t been explored yet?

India’s relationship with technology is fascinating because so much of the country's cultural and social change is mediated by technology. I think a lot more can be done with AI to reinterpret India’s technological evolution, especially when it comes to how it’s intertwined with social structures. For example, the rapid adoption of smartphones and mobile internet has completely reshaped how people interact and consume media, but we’re not really seeing this reflected in popular fiction or art as much as it could be.

‍

‍

What are the key skills or mindsets that new creators should develop to thrive in this rapidly evolving field?

My biggest piece of advice would be to focus on intention. Ask yourself why you’re creating something and what message you’re trying to convey. It’s easy to get caught up in trends or the sheer volume of content being generated, but the creators who stand out are the ones who are clear about their purpose. Beyond that, embrace experimentation. AI is still a relatively new medium, and there’s so much potential for discovering new ways of creating. Stay curious, keep pushing boundaries, and don’t be afraid to take risks.

‍

As AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, what do you think will be the new standards for originality and creativity in the art world?

The standards for originality will evolve alongside AI tools. Just like photography or digital art before it, AI-generated work will be judged based on the intention behind it and the uniqueness of its execution. I think we’ll see a lot of experimentation in how people customise and push AI to create work that feels personal and distinct. Ultimately, it will come down to the creator’s ability to communicate a vision through the tool, making decisions that reflect their unique perspective. AI will be part of the process, but the originality and creativity will still rest with the human behind the tool.

‍