The Tool Isn't the Problem: My Take on AI Art and Ethics

Hi sweet friends,

I got a comment on one of my recent AI art pieces that really got me thinking. Someone shared that while they loved the fantasy artwork I created, they had "very mixed feelings about AI" because of its potential for creating lies and propaganda. It's a concern I hear often, and honestly, I get it.

But every time I think about this, I keep coming back to the same thing –  we've had powerful editing tools for decades. Photoshop has been around since 1988, and skilled users have been able to create convincing fake images, manipulate faces, and craft entirely fictional scenarios for years. Long before AI art existed, people were already concerned about what was real versus what was digitally created.

The difference now is that AI has made these capabilities more accessible to more people. But does that make the technology itself inherently bad? I don't think so.

Every powerful tool can be used for good or ill. A kitchen knife can create a beautiful meal or cause harm. A camera can capture precious memories or invade privacy. The internet connects us globally and spreads both valuable information and dangerous misinformation.

When I create AI art, I'm transparent about my process. I'm not trying to fool anyone or claim I painted something by hand when I didn't. I'm using AI as a creative partner to bring ideas to life that I couldn't execute any other way. For me, it's expanded my creative possibilities without compromising my integrity.

The real issue isn't the tool – it's how we choose to use it and the systems we put in place to identify and combat misuse. We need better education about digital literacy, clearer labeling of AI-generated content when it matters, and continued conversations about ethical use.

But avoiding an entire technology because some people might misuse it doesn't feel like the answer to me.

What do you think? How do you navigate the balance between embracing new creative tools and being mindful of their potential for misuse?