By now, we have all heard the sentiment that “AI is the future” and we must “adapt or get left behind!” This is all or nothing rhetoric.
Pause. Breathe in and exhale. Let’s think for a moment.
We have been using “AI” for decades. You read that right: since 1956, when the term “artificial intelligence” was coined AI has been implemented and integrated into many systems. In fact, there are different AI categories with distinct functions. Not all of them are bad.
As a writer, I love spell check, word count, word finder, automatic formatting, read aloud and voice typing. These are all automated systems coded into programs such as Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat and more. Those handy hacks are available through types of AI called traditional rule-based and predictive models.
I use those types of AI the same way I use a hammer. A hammer does not think for me and I do not rely on a hammer to tell me where or how I should hang art. I have the hammer in my hand only when I need it to remove or add a nail. The nail is also a tool. When using these tools together, I can hang up the artwork my mother just created. She used water, paint brushes, paint and canvas to make art, but the tools themselves did not create or try to tell her how to paint. Without her command, they are just tools.
I do not use AI to come up with ideas or “write” for me because AI does not think or write. AI simply responds to commands and regurgitates information. Writing requires thought, initiative and an ability to reflect. In fact, I have an incredible organ in my body that self-reflects and produces good ideas with practice. We all have this organ, let’s use it!
Brains are organs that lose function without use. The more you rely on an artificial machine to do your thinking and creating the more you allow your brain to rot. And this is my issue with “the future is AI” rhetoric.
The type of AI called “generative” allows people to input prompts such as “make a country song” and this AI model steals data to “make” a song (again, AI cannot create, make, write, etc.). You have seen and unknowingly consume videos and artwork “made” through this system.
As a creative and moral person, I find generative AI to be disgusting. Generative AI stops us from thinking critically and disconnects us from our natural state of creativity. We do not need AI to create. AI companies need us to stop creating because creating requires brain power that comes from self-reflection, education and soul. We need to allow ourselves to make imperfect art because that is inherently human and it is also power.
Art comes from being a living bleeding human. There are people who have no limbs and paint with their mouths. There are no excuses — pick up a pencil and draw a stick figure.
There is the illusion that we have to be “good” at something to do it. “I can’t sing, so that’s why I had AI do it.” That is horrifying. Just sing. Allow yourself to be “bad” at singing and sing anyways. The beauty of art is not the product; the beauty of art is the friction it takes to create it. This friction is what keeps our brains healthy. Using generative AI, we will slowly decline in creative pursuits because then we are less likely to think for ourselves and come up with problem solving capabilities. We do not have to be good at art to participate in art and to create. We just need to create. For example:
“I am a human,
not a robot, do you see?
This is a poem.” (Haiku in 20 seconds.)
Is that the best poem I have written? No. Is it better than using generative AI which uses data stolen from real humans? Yes. More importantly, I like it!
Besides, every moral human should be appalled by the lack of regulations around AI. Currently, generative AI is accessible without restriction and many people are abusing it. This system allows its users to perpetuate gruesome violence and sexualization of children and women. What more proof do we need to stop this? Protective policies need to be in place.
To scratch the surface, I refuse to use ChatGPT or any generative AI. I will not “adapt” to this false reality. No, I’m not worried about AI replacing me because in real life people enjoy reading authentic pieces written by real humans. The CEO’s of this technology say “AI is the future” and “you will be left behind,” fearmongering phrases used to scare people into thinking there is only one option. That is not the truth.
We have many possible futures. AI is a future, not the future. AI has already been and will continue to be a part of the future. It’s time to fight for the future that regulates AI. It’s time to fight for the future that cares about all of nature and humanity and slows down to appreciate real art.