Let’s talk about AI
In the past couple of years, artificial intelligence has begun to infiltrate our daily lives to an extent not thought possible before. Just about any online service now offers an AI-assisted chatbot, stock media sites have integrated image creation tools. Even simple houeshold appliances use AI now: robotic vacuum cleaners, smart ovens that can recognize food, smart washing machines… The list goes on.
Anyone active on social media will have noticed an onslaught of AI generated pictures. Sometimes it’s just about generating clicks and likes, but sometimes fake images are used to manipulate political opinions as well. And such a strategy actually works and is paying off because the gullibility of many poeple is beyond compare. Show them a six-fingered granny presenting a cake decorated with unintelligible text, and congratulations to her 120th birthday will start pouring in. But it won’t take long, and the fake pictures will look 100% life-like. Trust me on that.
How can intelligent people still use AI when it contributes to so much crap and misinformation?
Because it’s a tool. Not more, not less. Back in the good old days of Stalinism, misinformation was produced with scissors and paint to manipulate photos. Then came Photoshop. And now AI can do the same, but quicker, allowing a higher output. But AI can also be incredibly helpful, if used the proper way. Not the least for digital creators who now have a huge range of possibilities at their fingertips to express themselves.
Like it or not, but AI is here to stay. Even a complete ban would be pointless for text and image creation because the open source models that you can install on your local PC are already pretty darn powerful, and they are only going to get better with advancing technology. And nobody will come around your place and look into your computer any time soon. Unless the world really sinks into chaos. But then we’d have bigger problems anyway.
Apart from such ethical considerations, we also have to look at the impact of artificial intelligence on the job market. This blog is about producing and monetizing digital imagery, so the conflict is obvoious. AI is to Photograhpy and graphic design what Photoshop was to the X-Acto knife. Or what the Automobile was to horse carts. Many photographers and designers are fearing the rise of AI and see them as competition. But in the end everything is about coming to terms with an inevitable change, as it has always been.
Traditonal creators will be forced to rethink their strategies. There will always be a need for traditionally created media, but it will be more and more restricted to niches. Nobody will want their wedding captured by AI pictures, just to name an obvious example. Maybe the resistance against AI in this industry has also to do with the fact that many creators see themselves as artists and may think “Art can never be replaced by artificial intelligence”.
Yes and now. Of course “L’art pour l’art” will always be relevant. I don’t think anyone would disagree. But let’s be honest. We are not talking about pictures to hang in art galleries or museums. We’re talking about consumer products. What is the “art” part of the proverbial business handshake or the laughing lady eating her salad anyway? Millions of pictures like this are populating stock photo sites. They are bought by media agencies for pamphlets or leaflets that will eventually be destroyed in an incinerator or a recyling plant. Other pictures may end up on greeting cards or coffee mugs. If you are selling pictures on websites without any information where they will be used is it really art?
I am aware that this is a controversial topic, and ultimately it depends on how much weight you give to the arguments of one side or the other. But I am strongly advocating for a balanced approach where both sides can respect each other. Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, but it needs to be used wisely. And the content of this blog will reflect this view.
Disclaimer: This text was written without any assistance by artificial intelligence.