AI, artists and another reason to divide us

There is a growing debate about artificial intelligence, and I think we need to have that conversation. But I also think we need to be careful about where we direct our anger.

There are legitimate concerns about AI.

The environmental cost of enormous data centres, the electricity and water they consume, the use of artists' work without permission or compensation, copyright issues and the possibility of people losing their jobs. These are not silly concerns. They deserve serious attention.

Artists deserve protection. Creative workers deserve fair compensation. Technology companies should be accountable for how they develop and profit from these systems.

But lately I've noticed something else happening.

People are being judged simply for asking AI questions, experimenting with it or using it for entertainment. Apparently, if you aren't using it for something serious, you're using it wrong.

Someone suggested that instead of typing prompts into AI, people should send their ideas to a tattoo artist.

But what if someone isn't looking for a tattoo? What if they're just curious, experimenting with an idea or having a little fun?

Not every AI-generated image is intended to replace an artist. Not every question is a threat to someone's livelihood.

We need to separate the technology, the corporations making money from it and the ordinary people experimenting with it.

I can defend artists' rights and still believe people should be free to explore new technology.

I can question the environmental impact and still be curious about what AI can do.

These things aren't mutually exclusive.

We've already found so many ways to divide ourselves: politics, generations, income, education, culture and just about everything else.

Do we really need another one?

Question the industry. Challenge the corporations. Protect the artists. Hold technology accountable. But don't turn ordinary people against each other.

Technology should give us more ways to communicate, learn and create, not more reasons to dislike one another.

Curiosity isn't stupidity. And disagreement doesn't have to become hostility.

We have enough division already.

#AI #AIethics #ArtistsRights #Copyright #EnvironmentalImpact #ProtectArtists #DigitalCreativity #Technology #ThinkBeforeYouJudge #LessDivision