The Human Renaissance: How Disillusionment with AI Art and New Ticketing Reforms Are Fueling a Cultural Revival

As artificial intelligence (AI) and automation continue to become staples of the average person’s daily life, a quiet yet powerful shift in the way we perceive the digital space is underway. While AI continues to permeate creative industries, from music to visual art, many consumers are beginning to push back, not out of fear, but out of longing for authenticity and a human connection that AI simply cannot replicate.  

As the general shift away from AI art continues to grow, the live entertainment industry increasingly exhibits this through a cultural renaissance that is taking root. As AI-generated content saturates digital platforms, audiences are rediscovering the irreplaceable value of live, in-person experiences with real people creating real art in real-time. The desire to disconnect from the digital space and experience live events in person is leading to a noticeable increase in culturally based travel worldwide. In mid-2024, Medium reported an increase in destination festivals, which offer a chance to explore new cultures and locales while enjoying live music and entertainment.1 This growing trend of traveling to enjoy live experiences has recently been coined as “Live Tourism” by Skift in late 2024.2 

Disenchantment with AI Art and the Return to the Human Experience 

The last few years have seen an explosion of AI-generated music, visual art and literature. What began as AI-generated memes and social trends has developed into AI-generated short movies, digital art and trending songs. While AI-enhanced tools have undoubtedly expanded creative possibilities, they have also sparked growing skepticism. Many consumers are finding that while AI can imitate art, it cannot actually create a new idea. AI generated arts cannot inspire in the same visceral, emotional way that human-created work can.  

In a 2016 documentary, after being presented with an AI-created animation, the world-renowned director behind the Studio Ghibli animation studio, Hayao Miyazaki, was famously quoted as saying, “Whoever creates this stuff has no idea what pain is whatsoever.”3 Many consumers share his view, as there is a growing sentiment that art without a human story behind it lacks the depth and imperfection that makes it truly resonant. Along with this, many consumers worry about the moral ethics behind copyright infringement and theft because AI has been trained to mimic existing styles of art. 

All of this has led to a renewed appreciation for live performances, such as concerts, plays, stand-up comedy and even local theater. Live events provide a unique opportunity where authenticity isn’t just present, it's celebrated. Post-pandemic, people are hungry for shared experiences that bring communities together and remind us of what it means to be human.  

Regulatory Shifts Build Consumer Trust 

While consumers are becoming more vigilant about the arts they consume, significant regulatory changes are taking place in the ticketing industry, further enabling this cultural revival. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission’s Junk Fees Rule, which went into effect in late 2024, requires upfront disclosure of all mandatory fees during the ticket purchase process to avoid unwanted surprises at checkout. 

Complementing this is the proposed TICKETS Act (Transparency in Charges for Key Events Ticketing System), currently moving through the United States Congress. If passed, this legislation would codify transparent ticket pricing across all platforms, eliminate deceptive resale practices, and empower consumers with clear refund policies and purchase protections. Similarly, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 in the UK has recently focused on capping reseller ticket prices and enacting an all-in pricing policy as of April 2025.4 Proposed legislation to restrict resellers in the state of New York has also been introduced, but was recently stalled until 2026. 

These changes address longstanding frustrations within the live events industry, where murky pricing and surprise fees have previously eroded consumer trust. By mandating clarity and fairness in the industry, these regulations not only protect buyers but also invite them back into the fold. 

The Live Events Industry as a Cultural Beacon 

Transparency, authenticity and human connection are the cornerstones of what’s emerging as a new cultural age. Live events are once again becoming central to our cultural identity, not as novelties, but as necessities. When artists step on stage, audiences erupt in spontaneous applause, or when shared laughter ripples through a crowd, those are moments AI cannot create or replicate. Longing for a human connection has proven that live events are an essential part of a happy and healthy community. 

And with new protections in place, consumers can engage with the live events ecosystem more confidently than ever. Artists benefit from these changes, as by attending live performances, people can be sure that the artists they enjoy are being supported, rather than being ripped off by AI creations. A system rooted in transparency allows for stronger artist-fan relationships, better revenue models, and a sustainable future for creativity that values people over algorithms. 

Looking Forward 

As AI continues to evolve, it will no doubt have its place in the arts. But what we are witnessing is not a rejection of technology, but a rebalancing. We are facing a collective recognition that while AI can enhance, it cannot replace the soul of human expression. 

Here at accesso ShoWare, we recognize that the live events industry is not just surviving; it is thriving. Thanks to both cultural currents and consumer-focused legislation, it's poised to lead us into a future where art is more accessible, honest, and deeply human than ever before.