If you spend much time in online creative communities, you’ve more than likely encountered artwork created using generative artificial intelligence (AI art for short), and probably the heated controversy surrounding it: an article in the September issue of Vogue concluded that AI art will either be another passing fad, or the end of the world as we know it.
Personally, I think that’s a bit extreme. The way I figure, best case scenario is that it will end up being a fad. Worst case scenario, AI art will stick around, and creatives will have to move with the times and evolve their craft, just as they did after the invention of the camera.
This is not to say that there aren’t legitimate concerns about copyright, the ethical (or not) development of the algorithms underlying AI art tools, use of AI art for profit, and so on and so forth. It’s essential that these concerns be addressed as the technology evolves, and users of AI art tools also need to be aware of them and give them some serious thought so as to use these tools responsibly.
As the technology stands at the present moment, my position on it is this:
- I don’t have a problem with AI art tools when they are used in support of a specific creative goal the user has.
- I do have a problem with it when it’s used to mass produce images for profit.
- I also think it is essential that people be transparent about the use of AI in their work, especially in commercial contexts.
- I don’t think AI is going to be The End for artists; there will always be a need and/or desire for original work.
- I would like to see stock image sites be more discerning about the submission of AI generated images but I’d also like to win the lotto and that’s probably not going to happen either. 🤣
I’m going to be posting more about AI art (at some as yet undetermined point in the future) because I think it’s an interesting subject, and I’m also experimenting with the technology to create some of the illustrations for my next book. So, stay tuned. ✨
Short and Sweet WTF 
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