Algorithmic Transculturation in AI-Generated Imagery: A Visual Discourse Analysis of Indonesian Heritage and Popular Culture

Abstract

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) technology have enabled the reproduction and visual reimagination of past cultures in the form of highly realistic digital works. This study examines and critiques the visual representation of ancient Indonesian culture generated by AI algorithms, including cultural artifacts such as traditional costumes, sacred dances, and mythological characters, especially in Indonesia, in a geographically and culturally displaced context, and highlights the issue of cultural appropriation in the context of digital technology. This study employs a literature review approach utilizing Peggy Albers' Visual Discourse Analysis (VDA) analytical framework. Through this analysis, this paper discusses the dynamics between visual preservation and distortion, representation, and the potential for cultural appropriation in AI works, which often create tensions between modern aesthetics and local values. This study is expected to contribute to a critical understanding of AI practices in the realm of visual culture, as well as broaden the discourse on ethics in the production of culture-based digital content.