The backlash towards picture and video synthesis isn’t solely centered on inventive app builders. {Hardware} producer Wacom and sport writer Wizards of the Coast have confronted criticism and issued apologies after utilizing AI-generated content material of their advertising and marketing supplies. Toys “R” Us additionally confronted a detrimental response after debuting an AI-generated industrial. Corporations are nonetheless grappling with balancing the potential advantages of generative AI with the moral issues it raises.
Artists and Critics React
Up to now, Procreate’s anti-AI announcement has been met with a largely optimistic response in replies to its social media put up. In a broadly preferred remark, artist Freya Holmér wrote on X, “That is very appreciated, thanks.”
A number of the extra outspoken opponents of picture synthesis additionally replied favorably to Procreate’s transfer. Karla Ortiz, who’s a plaintiff in a lawsuit towards AI image-generator corporations, replied to Procreate’s video on X, “No matter you want at any time, know I’m right here!! Artists assist one another, and likewise assist those that enable us to proceed doing what we do! So thanks for all you all do and so excited to see what the staff does subsequent!”
Artist R. J. Palmer, who stoked the primary main wave of AI artwork backlash with a viral tweet in 2022, additionally replied to Cuda’s video assertion, saying, “Now thats the way in which to ship a message. Now if solely you guys might get a full energy competitor to [Photoshop] on desktop with plugin assist. Till somebody can construct an actual competitor to excessive degree [Photoshop] use, I am caught with it.”
A number of pro-AI customers additionally replied to the X put up, together with AI-augmented artist Claire Silver, who makes use of generative AI as an accessibility instrument. She wrote on X, “Most of my early work is made with a mixture of AI and Procreate. 7 years in the past, earlier than textual content to picture was actually even a factor. I liked Procreate as a result of it used tech to spice up accessibility. Like AI, it augmented trad talent to permit extra folks to create. No guidelines, solely instruments.”
Since AI picture synthesis continues to be a extremely charged topic amongst some artists, reaffirming assist for human-centric creativity may very well be an efficient differentiated advertising and marketing transfer for Procreate, which at the moment performs underdog to creativity app large Adobe. Whereas some might choose to make use of AI instruments, in an (ideally wholesome) app ecosystem with private selection in illustration apps, folks can observe their conscience.
Procreate’s anti-AI stance is barely dangerous, as a result of it may also polarize a part of its person base—and if the corporate modifications its thoughts about together with generative AI sooner or later, it must stroll again its pledge. However for now, Procreate is assured in its determination: “On this technological rush, this may make us an exception or appear vulnerable to being left behind,” Procreate wrote. “However we see this highway much less traveled because the extra thrilling and fruitful one for our neighborhood.”
This story initially appeared on Ars Technica.
