Another Thought About AI Generated Art
It’s time all artists pull on their big boy/big girl pants and face some facts when it comes to the AI art revolution. In this article I’ll briefly try to provide some context on the subject and advocate for others to accept the fact that change isn’t coming — it’s here. What photographers and other artists do next will shape how this all plays out.
I continue to receive both compliments and anger over my decision to learn about and use AI to generate art.
Anyone who has known me for long knows I am always quick to learn and use new technologies. I built the 104th website ever created during a time when everyone told me that the Internet was just a fad.
I switched to a digital darkroom and printing solution before most people and also was pretty early in at least experimenting with digital cameras.
While not as impactful or as earth-shattering, I was one of the first to embrace mirrorless and micro four thirds cameras for professional work.
All along the way, I have been ridiculed by some, lauded by others, for being an early adopter.
No matter which side you fall on regarding those two positions, I just want to remind you change is constant and the ability to adapt and overcome is crucial to success.
When photography was invented, painters complained about the new technology “stealing their jobs.” When it comes to AI art generators, we see that once again, people are worried they will be replaced by a computer. To those of you who have a vested interest in seeing things NOT change, well YOU are the ones who need to understand that this new technology will NOT replace photography or artists. Vision is still the most valuable thing we have to offer. No machine can match that. Maybe someday, but not yet anyway. Since the computer still requires instruction and direction, being the person who understands how to give the computer that input will protect your job today — right now.
The particular skillset shared by photographers may be influenced, enhanced, changed, etc., by AI but for now at least, we still need people to drive the car (so to speak.) Even Tesla admits that human drivers be in control over their cars at all times, ready to take over if the self-driving software makes a mistake.
Even if AI could replace photography and photographers, what is the value of complaining? Things will change whether we like it or not. Live long enough and you’ll realize that as an eternal truth.
Does anyone really think that by stomping their feet and holding their breath that AI Art will go away? It won’t work. It seems to me the best bet is to try to be a part of the change rather than sitting by and letting the world move on without us.
If you want to be mad about AI Art that is your right. But you’re not going to convince me to stop using it nor will you be likely to succeed in stopping others. It’s happening. We have to deal with that.
I’ll close with this final thought…
A woman who followed me on Instagram saw one of my new AI creations and said “You didn’t create that, a computer did.”
I didn’t respond to her but I could have and if I did, I would have said the following…
“Some people say that the photographs you post to Instagram were not created by you — but by a camera.”
Nuff said.
