Generative AI in Creativity? It’s Complicated.

A few weeks ago, I asked for some feedback from my readers. The Spring Survey had questions on several topics to gauge how my interests align with yours. Today, I want to call out one topic in particular: generative AI.

Does generative AI have a place in creative applications (writing, images, video, etc.)?

The answers were, well, surprising. 25% of you said no, 22% said yes, and 53% said it's complicated. Looking at the results, I realized a few things:

1. I should have asked a follow-up question to ask for more details from the "it's complicated" crowd.
2. The "it's complicated" folks aside, there's an even split between yes and no.

I think we can all agree that some form of generative AI is here to stay. What that looks like in the future is really anyone's guess, but the tools have taken a mainstream adoption and will remain with us in some capacity. As such, I've found my balance with AI:

• AI is helpful for personal uses, such as finding errors, providing suggestions, fixing issues, translating, etc.
• AI is not welcome for anything external, i.e., being "creative" or publishing things that we "made."

Maybe the 53% of you in the it's complicated crowd are trying to determine your own balance and line with AI. I get that. This is emerging technology and we all have to determine how it fits into our daily workflows.

That said, the more I read about AI usage, the less complicated the issue becomes. Generative AI is being used for scams and intentional harm. Full stop. Let me share just a few of the stories I've recently collected:

• An "art project" created a camera that uses generative AI to undress everyone in the photo. Because that's how memories are preserved. (404 Media)
• The Washington State Lottery recalled a website after a "picture yourself on vacation" tool created nude photos of a woman in a hotel room. (Ars Technica)
• Generative AI "influencers" are deepfaking faces onto actual women's Instagram reels to garner subscription revenue. (404 Media)
• AI-generated child sexual abuse material is flooding the internet, making it difficult for researchers and law enforcement to stop. (WSJ)
• Microsoft researchers can create realistic deepfake videos with fully synced audio from a single photo, using the Mona Lisa as an example. (Ars Technica)

Among all of the horror that generative AI stories are producing, I only found one instance where the powers were being used for good:

• Researchers have trained an AI to detect metastatic cancer cells before they spread throughout the body, something deemed a "pretty significant finding."

While AI is with us for the long haul, I wish more effort was being put into projects that can impact humanity for the better. The cancer study is great and could have lasting effects. However, far too many resources are currently pouring into creating nonconsensual deepfake porn.

For me, generative AI isn't complicated. It's potentially dangerous. I want my AI boring: scientific, supportive, and solving real problems.

Let me know your thoughts if you're in the "it's complicated" crew.

More Reader Survey Findings

I might spend some more time with the reader survey findings at another time, but here are a few quick hits for your reading pleasure:

• 92% of those who answered read my writing in their email inbox. Considering I equally shared the survey link in the email, website, and Medium versions of my writing, that percentage is staggering. I haven't quite processed what it means in the greater context yet. There will probably be more to say at some point.
• 55% of the people who don't pay for a subscription to my writing say they have too many subscriptions already. Look, I get it. While I'm fine if you choose not to pay for a subscription, it could mean some writers you like end up despairing. Support the writers you can.
• Only 10% of you are using Mastodon, which is a real shame. Some really big things are happening with ActivityPub, which will make Mastodon something special in the coming months. And, for the record, only one person is using Spoutable, which I'm obligated to mention, or I will get emails about.
• 66% of you said your social media usage has decreased (combining significantly and slightly) in the last year. That's pretty massive if you ask me and really aligns with my assumptions. But, you know, you should still get on the Mastodon train.
• 75% of you make money as a creator (either full-time, freelance, or hobbyist). Honestly? It's higher than I thought. Also, congratulations!
• One person said I should stop ranting, which is pretty funny.
• 61% of you prefer light mode. Why do you hate your eyes?
• 40% of you chose The Age of Rebellion as your favorite Star Wars era. This is, of course, the correct answer. However, 37% of you answered "Huh?" and I'm really starting to wonder about these results.
• 59% of you chose "What?" as your favorite Taylor Swift era. I'm shocked. Some of you clearly need to watch The Eras Tour.
• 31% of you are reading from somewhere other than the US. I love that my writing travels around the world.

Thank you all for participating!