Statement on Generative ai

A quick word about a.i.

I don’t use it to create my illustrations. I also don't consent to my illustrations being used to train ai.

Generative ai apps and software (the ones that can magic up a complex image or poster, in seconds) are impressive, but their sudden and widespread introduction is bad for creatives. Here's why:

It's theft!

Generative ai software was trained using billions of images ‘scraped’ from the internet without consent. Every generated image is stealing from someone else’s idea in some part, and they never asked for permission. In any other scenario, this is theft.

It has no soul

Whenever someone uses ai, they‘re missing a magical opportunity to create something really meaningful and unique. AI generated posters are cold, soulless, riddled with errors and can’t communicate those the feelings and emotions that give great art and design that WOW factor. They also often all look alike, given that they are a blended frankensteins monster of what's already been done before. It might be effective but its just tasteless, and cheapens your whole message.

It's just...bad

Bad for the environment, bad for humanity. The data centres needed to power this software are noisy, consume more energy than a small country, and use vast amounts of water. It also makes us stupid, as we lose the ability to think critically and communicate in our own unique way as the weird, wonderful and imperfect humans that we are.

Go human!

So if you want to create a poster, or an invitation, or a piece of art to hang in your home or workplace - go human! Buy from an independent shop, ask someone on instagram, or put a call-out on a group for a local artist (and always ask permission if using someone else's work!). It could be someone looking for that chance to launch their career, or someone who is really passionate about your product, message or event. That passion shines through in the work, and that’s the secret sauce that makes people engage with it.

There are so many talented people out there just waiting for that call, and you’ll make them happy too! Thanks for reading, be kind.

Dario