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As a vital addition to current research on ethics and digital technology, this paper aims to discuss the ethics of digital art practice. In the past, artists were at the forefront of using new technologies innovatively, and digital art has completely changed how the art world functions. Not only has digital technology completely changed how art is produced and distributed, it has also changed the ethical dilemmas that artists now face. Digital technology offers the creative industries a diverse array of inventive opportunities, from novel artistic forms like multimedia art and video art, to the revolution of conventional artistic methodologies. Examining cultural and artistic products in the digital sphere helps to clarify the importance and usefulness of this combination today by demonstrating the harmonious marriage of traditional design and the digital age. The incorporation of digital technology into cultural and creative product design marks a breakthrough in innovation as well as a move toward the mainstreaming of digital media as the primary means of creative product design in the digital age. Although a select few have long been able to access digital technology, the Fourth Industrial Revolution has seen digital technology move to the forefront of the creative industry, and people of all races now have access.
Digital art’s influence on cultural paradigms is multifaceted, as evidenced by the intricate web of ethical, societal, and artistic considerations that arise when digital art intersects with cultural narratives. It has the transformative power to capture and reinterpret cultural narratives through cutting-edge digital mediums. Digitally savvy artists are skilled at fusing modern digital expressions with traditional cultural narratives, thereby reimagining cultural heritage, identity, and social discourses (Candy, 2007).
South Africa (SA) boasts a dynamic landscape of digital art technologies, as well as a multifaceted strategy that weaves socioeconomic, environmental, and ethical factors into the composition of artistic expression. The National Digital and Future Skills Strategy sets out a structured series of initiatives intended to help South Africans meet the challenges arising from the increasing deployment and adoption of digital technologies in the economy and society (Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, 2020) It is imperative that SA embrace its distinct cultural and artistic identities while simultaneously embracing global perspectives as it adjusts to the digital era. By doing this, South Africa can establish itself as a leader at the nexus of art, technology, and societal impact, in addition to influencing its own creative landscape and contributing to international discussions and developments in the digital arts field. South Africa could even shape global narratives on the moral and sustainable use of technology in the arts, as well as its own artistic identity, as it advances further into the digital arts space.
Even though the digital arts are growing in South Africa, there are still significant issues that need to be resolved if the sector is to grow to its full potential. By recognizing and proactively resolving these issues, the community of digital artists can strive towards a future that is more impactful, sustainable, and inclusive. The importance of addressing disparities in access to digital technology has also been brought to light by the changing landscape of digital art in South Africa. The urgent need to close the digital divide and guarantee that everyone has the opportunity to interact with and benefit from digital art has been highlighted by the lack of access to the internet and digital devices, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The South African socioeconomic landscape cannot be ignored. In the rural areas, a lack of information literacy, poor infrastructure, and poverty make it difficult to integrate digital technology. It is imperative that these issues be resolved to guarantee that the whole nation can benefit from digital art. In doing so, South Africa can effectively leverage the transformative potential of digital art to promote inclusivity and empowerment, thereby breaking down barriers and establishing a more equitable artistic scene.