We block all generative AI tools here.

This is why:

Human creative products are the product of the interrelation of three things: the artist’s vision, the artist’s skills, and the artist’s limitations.

Using AI to achieve your vision undermines aspects of what makes art interesting, impressive, and compelling.

If we take away our limitations, we take away our finitude and the tenderness which makes art moving.

If we take away the need to build skill, we take away the wisdom and improvisation that adhere to craft and the mastery of materials.

An excessive focus on vision without the other two aspects of art is driven by the idea of art as a commodity. The meaningfulness of art –both for the artist and for the audience– depends on its humanity, its frailty, all the limits that we would wish away.

Instead of expanding our creativity, employing robots to help us destroys the foundation and meaning of art.

Expediency is short-sighted

Many people who want to use AI tell me that they just want to get something done quickly, that they feel the need to extend their capacities in order to “compete”, or that they would love to employ a human for this job but they can’t afford it, .

My answer is that masterful design works with the limitations of time and resources. What can you do with what you do have?

Even in 5 minutes you can organize your resources to do something interesting.

Employing a robot in your stead is a sign of a lack of self-confidence.

Whatever you imagine the robot could do for you, it’s not actually necessary.

And none of the short-term motivations are worth the cost of putting so many people, including artists, out of work.

Excuses

“Well the Gutenberg bible and video editing software helped to make art better.”

The fact that a previous technology has been good does not justify every future technology. There are some bad ones.

“It’s inevitable.”

There are lots of bad things in the world. Hopeful people fight every day to prevent these bad outcomes.