If you happened to check out our latest video, you are probably aware by now (if you hadn’t been already) that the topic of AI generated art has recently become a worrisome one among creators—particularly those of us here in Nocturnal Mind. In fact, you might say that the very thought of computers taking our jobs away from us and ultimately quashing everything that makes us uniquely human is a downright terrifying and existential crisis-inducing thought.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I’ve heard perspectives from both optimists and pessimists on the subject in recent weeks. Many argue that the “artwork” AI produces is only so good because all it does is steal from what real people have put out on the internet. Which has already opened a lot of opportunities for visual artists to fight back, citing plagiarism first and foremost. Now, this argument is mostly coming from creators of visual art, but the more I hear about it, the more it seems that the creative writing aspects of it are not much different (I just saw an online post in which someone gave Chat GPT the prompt: create a synopsis for a horror movie in which AI becomes sentient—and according to the comments section, it basically just regurgitated the plot to M3GAN, which was released last year).
So, obviously, AI is not in a position to replace real creators just yet. But here is where the pessimists come in: this kind of technology is advancing fast. People are putting a lot of work behind it and finding different ways for it to continue growing, because why wouldn’t they? It’s a huge technological advancement. And somewhere down the line from here—maybe in a decade, maybe by this time next year—it very well might be smart enough to create its own work from scratch.
Maybe. I still have my doubts about just how well an artificial mind could compete in the long run with a human mind—at least when it comes to creativity. But that doesn’t stop me from lying awake at night, dreading the day when, as a fellow writer friend of mine put it, someone could just log in to Amazon and type: “write me a story with X, Y, and Z,” and it will immediately spit out an entirely original, well-crafted novel / short story / play / movie script. All in a matter of seconds.
But honestly, losing my job is not my biggest fear.
No, my biggest fear is how far we will take technology before we virtually obliterate everything that makes us human.
Obviously, I’m not against technological advancement. If not for technology, you wouldn’t be reading this now. I wouldn’t be able to do half the things I want to do with my day-to-day life if it weren’t for computers alone. But even helpful things can come with a cost if we don’t use them wisely. And, let’s face it, when’s the last time the human race was wise about anything?
If AI does reach a point where it renders obsolete our ability and our need to create—not only our inexplicable need to take the thoughts and ideas floating around our minds and give them a physical form that can be shared, but also our ability to put in the time and effort it takes to encapsulate all of our hopes and feelings and the ways we’ve changed over the years into one work of art that others can relate to—then what’s left? To be born, then work away the best years of our lives, then die? Essentially, that’s what many of us will feel resigned to. And, sadly, it already seems like that’s what many of the people around us want us to do.
But then again… if that happened, then wouldn’t we, in the long run, find some way to express our pain over the sudden meaninglessness of our lives out loud? And wouldn’t that most likely appear in some new form of art?
Despite all the “fors” and “againsts,” it’s so hard for me to really pinpoint what I think will happen next. Maybe AI Art is just a fad that will slowly edge back out of existence. Maybe it will never be able to advance beyond a clever new tool for the real artists to employ. Or, maybe, ten years from now I’ll be selling books at $200 a title with the official seal on the front: “100% Human-Made.”
But the more I spell it out, the more I start to realize: I don’t foresee artists disappearing, after all.
Every time I get dragged down by an existential crisis, I manage to come back around with hope. My real fear has always been that we would lose sight of our need to express, and to feel, and to connect—but could that ever actually be taken away from us completely?
Not unless we decide to replace ourselves with machines, as well.
I guess maybe, on my road to despair with this post, I managed to find some wisdom in the human race, after all: that no matter what the rest of the world does to us, there will always be a hopeful handful of people who pursue creativity. Who invent new ways to keep it going, because there is literally no other way for them to live.
I guess, for the moment, at least, I solved my own existential crisis. And, I guess, instead of worrying about what the future holds, I’m just going to keep writing. I’m going to keep thinking. And I’m going to keep creating.
And I’m going to keep encouraging others to do the same.
You know. So long as some random AI bot doesn’t trigger a nuclear war and destroy us all 🙃
Night Owls, what are your thoughts on AI artwork? Do you think creators will be replaced, or will we simply evolve?
Dear C.M.,
I’m glad to see that in writing this piece, you managed to write your way of out of the pit of despair you were falling into – – easier to fall into then to climb your way out. So how wonderful that your ability for eloquent, thoughtful writing enabled you to reach for that glimmer of hope that sometimes is so elusive for many of us to find. Well done!
Imagine those cave dwellers – – some 40,000 years ago — who left their creative expressions on cave walls. Do you wonder if they ever contemplated what would become of their artwork? That they may be replaced by something in the future that would belittle their existence or their creativity? I would guess that they never gave that idea a concern or a worry or even an anxiety. I would imagine that they were relishing in the freedom they received from the creativity that was flowing from their fingertips. I bet they never dreamed that all these many years later we humans continue to be inspired, delighted, intrigued, by their amazing work. Their work is priceless and protected for future generations to marvel about and wonder about and feel encouraged by.
So remember to enjoy what you are doing, what you are accomplishing. And know someday — if not already- – many will be inspired by your work and encouraged by your work and see great value in your work.
I believe no AI could ever replace that worth or feel that value or experience that internal joy that you should be experiencing each day of your life.
Thank you so much, Care Bear! What a profound way to look at things 🙂 The next time I start to worry about my future as an artist, I will try to remember that mindset of the cave person painting on the wall for the sheer joy of creating and communicating to others through that creativity. I appreciate your insight!