There's always been a market and an audience for trashy, meaningless stuff. I think AI will entirely gobble that up.
For everyone else, I still optimistically think that AI will in fact result in people valuing *people* more than ever. That connection will become ever more important. The declaration 'human made' will be vital, like buying organic food, or choosing an independent cafe over Starbucks, or shopping in weird shops instead of the main chains.
For me, the process is as important as the finished thing. I'm fascinated by how artists create stuff. If the answer is 'waited 2 seconds for ChatGPT', then that makes the end product less interesting, even if it is technically and aesthetically very good on paper.
The other side to this that I still don't quite get is where the money is for those exploiting these tools and stealing from humans. Feels like a gold rush to me, in its current incarnation. Why would I buy an AI generated book from someone else/a company, rather than generate my OWN AI generated book? I can kinda see the appeal of wanting a new Harry Potter book and rolling my own in 5 seconds. But buying generated content from someone else? What's the point? Again, the process is important: there's a certain intrigue to generating your own stuff with AI, but consuming stuff generated by someone ELSE seems utterly redundant to me. If these systems become increasingly accessible, the market for actually selling generated works is going to evaporate, because anyone interested in that kind of material will simply make their own at home based on their mood. "I fancy an action movie with Bruce Willis tonight."
I'm slightly expecting the generative AI bubble to go pop in various ways, after which we can hopefully focus on useful applications of similar technologies. ie medical, or being used in clever ways by artists to enhance or do previously impossible things. etc.
I always love seeing your thoughtful takes, Simon! It does definitely have a gold rush feel, doesn't it? The thing about the AI garbage content for me is not that it will compete, but more that it will burry everything, making readers not want to bother. However, necessity is the mother of invention and all that, so I am excited to see the new curators and tools (like dedicated websites and apps) that emerge to help us sort through the mess.
All true. AI can produce the cheapest food with plenty of salt, sugar, and empty calories. No thanks. I’d rather have some friends over for a pot luck dinner.
Well said. I’ve discovered other Substackers who value the making of things as the most natural, human compulsion and need. It’s how we knit ourselves into this world and contribute something unique and, hopefully, appreciated. It’s through making that we make a difference. We won’t let them take that away from us.
Oh I have so many feels about AI and none of them good. This surge in use makes me very untrusting because I don’t know what’s genuine or not and I don’t like being that person.
Yes, yes! I just restocked this but then realize I should have commented also. The creative revolutionaries are a bit like the Luddites -- who weren’t against the technology, but the inhumane use/application of it!
I love this and I felt this so much! I get so angry when I hear people say they don't want to have to learn the skill to participate. I'm sorry but that is the whole point. Art is in the skill and intention and that is something that AI will never be able to do. It is mimicry. Nothing else.
I still will never get over how the techbros who created these auto-plagiarism tools got everyone to call them “AI” when they’re just the latest iteration of what used to be called machine learning. No intelligence, not even an artificial one. Just Prompts and commands, being presented and marketed as if they were fucking skynet.
I possibly have my head in the sand, but, I think that at some point the algorithms will be so good that people will say, “Those are obviously fake boobs, er, stories”. And we will grow weary of the predictably bouncy gravity defying prose that everyone will have on their sites. And the real thing that comes along will strike a chord, and be found to be attractive in a way no silicon based algorithm can be.
I've so far managed to avoid direct engagement with the bots (not counting auto correct, as I only accept the prompts I intended but fluffed) - but of course the algorithms are everywhere.
You won’t be alone in the boat! I’ll jump too 🩷 thanks for sharing my post, I know hands it’s the worst, but I am feeling a bit more comfortable, or should I say more empowered to draw them now 😉
There's always been a market and an audience for trashy, meaningless stuff. I think AI will entirely gobble that up.
For everyone else, I still optimistically think that AI will in fact result in people valuing *people* more than ever. That connection will become ever more important. The declaration 'human made' will be vital, like buying organic food, or choosing an independent cafe over Starbucks, or shopping in weird shops instead of the main chains.
For me, the process is as important as the finished thing. I'm fascinated by how artists create stuff. If the answer is 'waited 2 seconds for ChatGPT', then that makes the end product less interesting, even if it is technically and aesthetically very good on paper.
The other side to this that I still don't quite get is where the money is for those exploiting these tools and stealing from humans. Feels like a gold rush to me, in its current incarnation. Why would I buy an AI generated book from someone else/a company, rather than generate my OWN AI generated book? I can kinda see the appeal of wanting a new Harry Potter book and rolling my own in 5 seconds. But buying generated content from someone else? What's the point? Again, the process is important: there's a certain intrigue to generating your own stuff with AI, but consuming stuff generated by someone ELSE seems utterly redundant to me. If these systems become increasingly accessible, the market for actually selling generated works is going to evaporate, because anyone interested in that kind of material will simply make their own at home based on their mood. "I fancy an action movie with Bruce Willis tonight."
I'm slightly expecting the generative AI bubble to go pop in various ways, after which we can hopefully focus on useful applications of similar technologies. ie medical, or being used in clever ways by artists to enhance or do previously impossible things. etc.
I always love seeing your thoughtful takes, Simon! It does definitely have a gold rush feel, doesn't it? The thing about the AI garbage content for me is not that it will compete, but more that it will burry everything, making readers not want to bother. However, necessity is the mother of invention and all that, so I am excited to see the new curators and tools (like dedicated websites and apps) that emerge to help us sort through the mess.
All true. AI can produce the cheapest food with plenty of salt, sugar, and empty calories. No thanks. I’d rather have some friends over for a pot luck dinner.
All I can think of those MAH-velous AI-generated images?
"Oh, no, you di'n't..."
Pffffff even AI cant get habds as wrong as i do LOL
*hands
This is the first article of yours that I've read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Me too, thank you. You've given me lots to think about
Thanks so much for reading!
Thank you so much for reading!
Well said. I’ve discovered other Substackers who value the making of things as the most natural, human compulsion and need. It’s how we knit ourselves into this world and contribute something unique and, hopefully, appreciated. It’s through making that we make a difference. We won’t let them take that away from us.
Thank you!
YES. Yes, please. This is the way.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for reading!
Not a writer, yet but I whole heartedly agree on the creative drawing front. As an emerging artist, I'm strearing clear of the hype. Great Read!
Thanks so much for reading!
Oh I have so many feels about AI and none of them good. This surge in use makes me very untrusting because I don’t know what’s genuine or not and I don’t like being that person.
Great read, thanks for sharing : )
Thanks so much for reading! Just keep creating and embrace that punk rock energy!
Yes, yes! I just restocked this but then realize I should have commented also. The creative revolutionaries are a bit like the Luddites -- who weren’t against the technology, but the inhumane use/application of it!
100%! I need to find the title of the new book about luddites i wanted to read and share it. Thanks for reading!
Oh if you find it, do share the title! I am needing it for book research!
Found it! Blood innthe Machine by Brian Merchant
Thanks!!
I love this and I felt this so much! I get so angry when I hear people say they don't want to have to learn the skill to participate. I'm sorry but that is the whole point. Art is in the skill and intention and that is something that AI will never be able to do. It is mimicry. Nothing else.
it is totally a mimic. The whole point is the act of creating. Thank u so much for reading
Thank you for this.
I still will never get over how the techbros who created these auto-plagiarism tools got everyone to call them “AI” when they’re just the latest iteration of what used to be called machine learning. No intelligence, not even an artificial one. Just Prompts and commands, being presented and marketed as if they were fucking skynet.
right!?!? I mean, I wont pretend to know the programming minutia of it all, but I do know the hype machine is in full force. Thank you for reading!
I possibly have my head in the sand, but, I think that at some point the algorithms will be so good that people will say, “Those are obviously fake boobs, er, stories”. And we will grow weary of the predictably bouncy gravity defying prose that everyone will have on their sites. And the real thing that comes along will strike a chord, and be found to be attractive in a way no silicon based algorithm can be.
Lets hope!
Thank you Meaghan. So important.
It's essential to keep writing and reading human.
I've so far managed to avoid direct engagement with the bots (not counting auto correct, as I only accept the prompts I intended but fluffed) - but of course the algorithms are everywhere.
Keep writing. Keep reading.
Thank you! Same to you!
Thank you ✨
😊
You won’t be alone in the boat! I’ll jump too 🩷 thanks for sharing my post, I know hands it’s the worst, but I am feeling a bit more comfortable, or should I say more empowered to draw them now 😉
Hands are the worst! (even AI struggles LOL) Thank you for helping to demystify them!
I know Megs!! Its so funny, they are so Intelligent(!) but still cannot manage!