Though an escape via electric scooters seems a little too satirical for a future Ocean’s movie, the event that took place at the Louvre on Oct. 19 was eerily Hollywoodesque. At 9:30 a.m., four robbers arrived at the largest museum in the world, broke in using a cherry-picker truck and power tools, stole eight extremely valuable pieces of jewelry and made a daring escape. It has become my go-to conversation starter for the past week, especially during Parents Weekend. 

It’s no surprise that this shocking event has taken the internet by storm. Because the robbery was a victimless crime, people online have become unrestrained with their language regarding the event, calling it “chic” and stating that because of the burglars’ hard work they deserve to keep the jewels. An alleged photo of the fancily-dressed lead detective and suspicions that the robbers came from a group called the ‘Pink Panthers’ have only fueled unserious discussions of the heist. 

TikToks of Halloween party-goers dressed in black adorned in neon construction vests and fake jewels have been all over my For You Page. And a wave of disappointment spread throughout social media after the news that two of the suspected crooks had been arrested. 

Even George Clooney, who plays big-time burglar Danny Ocean, said in an interview with Variety that “If you’re a professional thief like I am, I was very proud of those guys.”

In a world of cryptocurrency scams and Artificial Intelligence, the world has been aching for some tradition. This act, which must have taken meticulous planning and physical labor, is a beacon of hope for old-fashioned hard work. 

According to the Pew Research Center, 74% of Americans aged 18-29 say they interact with AI at least several times a week. Professors have implemented work checkers due to suspicions of ChatGPT usage. And AI-generated reels have begun stumping Gen Zers and Boomers alike. 

Though many say AI is the future, I argue it is taking away from our future. 

Our society has been drenched in technology. Since our reliance on AI has skyrocketed, people have gotten lazier and computer-generated media and work have taken over. We are putting trust in computer cables more than we are in the hands of real people. Because of AI’s efficiency and the plentitude of information it provides, things that take time and require skill seem unproductive. 

Almost any form of art can now be created by computers at a rapid pace. AI videos and voices, ChatGPT-written poems and stories, and digital art are all examples.  

There is a lost art for art.

According to the Nation, the number of art history degrees awarded to undergraduates in the United States dropped by 34% from 2012 to 2022. An Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market report found that global art sales fell 12% in 2024. These statistics show just a small portion of how the arts have been affected by Artificial Intelligence. 

However, I am hopeful that the Louvre heist is the perfect opportunity for the art world to seize the attention of the public again. 

People on TikTok have already posted what they would have stolen from the museum with pictures they took during their visits. And art history majors are speaking out with their educated guesses on the motives of the robbers. 

The hypothesis that the jewels were stolen for a specific client is another good sign. If this is the case, then whoever buys them will not be able to show them off for money or fame due to the media and constant investigations. It’s a sign that people are interested in art for reasons beyond monetary value. 

Though TikTok has presented a heap of drama over the past several years, it has proven in this case that it can unify people. The collective interest in the robbery and details of the jewels, history and Louvre itself demonstrates how quickly a topic can gain traction when it captures the public eye. 

I am not condoning more art heists, just hopeful that now that the public is hooked, they will continue to show interest in creative fields. The Louvre heist could turn dissatisfaction with AI into an appreciation for real craftsmanship for years to come.