And how does it benefit artists if I search through those millions of free things instead of using a tool to make exactly what I want? I mean, I also built my own deck, drywalled and painted most of my house, changed the plumbing and wiring, put on roofing… I can’t even think of all the things I’ve done instead of hiring somebody. And I learned it all by imitating professional work. Does that make me evil? Did I “steal” from them? Should I not be allowed to own power tools because they take work away from craftspeople?
When I consider this issue, the analogy looks more like someone has invented a robot to do contractor work. Of course it’s true that it will put many human contractors out of work.
But no, I don’t think using the robot is malicious - it is, after all, hugely convenient. I would love to have access to those kinds of skills without all the trial, effort, and investment it would take for me to pick them up myself.
I could even rationalize it by thinking, why shouldn’t I? Pandora’s box has been opened and my participation won’t make a difference by this point. I may even be right.
I don’t have a whole lot of use for art in May day to day, so it doesn’t cost me much to decide not to use AI for it. When I think of all the atrocities in the world taking place to enable me to live a comfortable North American life up to this point, I find I can live without this one.
I guess I’m trying to make the point that I don’t want to guilt anyone for using AI for this or anything, but I encourage everyone to truly understand the consequences of the technology we’re using and do some self-reflection. Do you have space in your moral convictions for this? Does this cross any of my values? If you can stomach it, go crazy, but do so without blinders.
And how does it benefit artists if I search through those millions of free things instead of using a tool to make exactly what I want? I mean, I also built my own deck, drywalled and painted most of my house, changed the plumbing and wiring, put on roofing… I can’t even think of all the things I’ve done instead of hiring somebody. And I learned it all by imitating professional work. Does that make me evil? Did I “steal” from them? Should I not be allowed to own power tools because they take work away from craftspeople?
When I consider this issue, the analogy looks more like someone has invented a robot to do contractor work. Of course it’s true that it will put many human contractors out of work.
But no, I don’t think using the robot is malicious - it is, after all, hugely convenient. I would love to have access to those kinds of skills without all the trial, effort, and investment it would take for me to pick them up myself.
I could even rationalize it by thinking, why shouldn’t I? Pandora’s box has been opened and my participation won’t make a difference by this point. I may even be right.
I don’t have a whole lot of use for art in May day to day, so it doesn’t cost me much to decide not to use AI for it. When I think of all the atrocities in the world taking place to enable me to live a comfortable North American life up to this point, I find I can live without this one.
I guess I’m trying to make the point that I don’t want to guilt anyone for using AI for this or anything, but I encourage everyone to truly understand the consequences of the technology we’re using and do some self-reflection. Do you have space in your moral convictions for this? Does this cross any of my values? If you can stomach it, go crazy, but do so without blinders.