Modern Witch Hunt - A Problem with AI

Skynet, Ultron, M3GAN, and many other machine villains from movies in the past should make people wary of using AI in everyday things, like driving a car or conducting surgical operations. But what about using AI for creativity purposes? In the writing community today, social media has presented a cancel culture for writers and artists who use AI and profit from it. 
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What’s the Problem?

 1. Legality and Ethical Issues:
Not all AI sites have permission to use the art it pulls from the internet to generate the art/text. Essentially, there are no laws currently protecting artists’ copyrighted material from the use of AI. On the other hand, this is why AI Art can't be copyrighted. 
2. Loss of Humanity:
AI can’t do everything that a human can; we all know this. Currently, the science just isn’t there yet. Art, in any shape or form, resonates with so many people because of the human connection. Using AI removes that factor, leaving an observer/reader at a loss.
3. A Crutch Not A Tool:
Rather than use AI as a tool, some are using it from start to finish. In this case, you’ve entered a whole different level of AI usage. Unless it’s for editing or ideas, it could be an issue.

Fun Fact: According to Terminator Wiki's Timeline, we've been in a war with machines for very nearly 28 years. 

Not All Are The Same

All of that said, there are some websites who have agreements with artists to utilize their art in the generation of AI. For instance, Canva and Adobe Firefly have safety protocols and transparency with their artists. ​

How Do You Know?

In order to know which sites use ethical AI, you have to do some digging. Google is your friend, as the list changes regularly. The best advice I can offer is to check the website before you use it for AI. Also, do more than scratch the surface in your research. A site might boast they use ethical practices but have no way of protecting the artist.
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Art by BeautyHero

Burn The Witch!...I Mean Cancel Them

The first “witch” to burn at the stake, according to The Brooklyn Museum, was in 1324. Petronilla de Meath was found guilty, most likely due to association more than the actual practice of witchcraft. When her boss was accused and escaped capture, she was found, tried, put to death in her stead. Nowadays, it feels the same is happening with creators.

Instead of asking for more information or context, followers are jumping to conclusions when creators admit they use AI. Simply saying “I use AI” will get your books or art tossed in the trash unless you follow it with “for editing.” This happened to an author on TikTok last week when, during a live interview, she was asked, “What inspires you to write the stories that you do?” To which she answered, “I use AI to generate ideas.” People took this to mean she allowed AI to generate her entire book, and ran with it. Within a few hours, she was losing followers, readers, and revenue. When many of us use AI on a regular bases. I mean, basis. Stupid, AutoCorrect. 
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Read More About Creative Issues with AI 

Generative AI Has An Intellectual Property Problem- Harvard Business Review

​The Ethics of AI Art - Uuniversity of Texas at Austin - Center for Media Engagement 

AI Best Practice for Authors - The Authors Guild

AI Creator

AI art

AI writing

AI Ethics