3 ms·

> The question isn't whether these tools will change visual media, but whether we'll be thoughtful enough to shape that change intentionally. Unfortunately I t

> The question isn't whether these tools will change visual media, but whether we'll be thoughtful enough to shape that change intentionally. Unfortunately I think the answer to this question is a resounding “no”. The time for thoughtful shaping was a few years ago. It feels like we’re hurtling toward a future where instead we’ll be left picking up the pieces and assessing the damage. These tools are impressive and will undoubtedly unlock new possibilities for existing artists and for people who are otherwise unable to create art. But I think it’s going to be a rough ride, and whatever new equilibrium we reach will be the result of much turmoil. Employment for artists won’t disappear, but certain segments of the market will just use AI because it’s faster, cheaper, and doesn’t require time consuming iterations and communication of vision. The results will be “good enough” for many. I say this as someone who has found these tools incredibly helpful for thinking. I have aphantasia, and my ability to visualize via AI is pretty remarkable. But I can’t bring myself to actually publish these visualizations. A growing number of blogs and YouTube channels don’t share these qualms and every time I encounter them in the wild I feel an “ick”. It’ll be interesting to see if more people develop this feeling.

pixl97 2y ago
>But I think it’s going to be a rough ride, and whatever new equilibrium we reach will be the result of much turmoil. Honestly visual media just seems to be the start. In the past two years we've seen about as much robotics progress as the last 20. If this momentum keeps up then we're not just talking about artists that are going to have issues.
- TheGrognardling 2y ago
  Honestly, I'm pretty encouraged by all of the projects and efforts within legislation and organizations regarding clear lines being drawn - i.e., through watermarking to clearly label whether something is AI-generated or not - as well as the efforts by industries for livelihoods to be protected, specifically in the creative space, where human intentionality and feeling are still of the utmost essentiality. We've seen, are seeing, and will see cultural and societal acceptance and backlash against one thing or another, but I'm confident that we will adapt. Ultimately, pushback, thanks to the Web itself, is already pretty monumental among artists and even other AI researchers in many respects - regulations for the internet, largely due to lack of the Web, were far slower to materialize, on an exponential scale. I remain optimistic that we will find the niches where AI is needed, where it isn't, and where it is detrimental.
  - haswell 2y ago
    While I know there have been plenty of scathing essays, backlash among various communities, etc. do you have some concrete examples of the clear lines being drawn and legislation that gives you this optimism? Maybe the progress you’re describing has escaped me because of the sheer speed this is all unfolding, but it feels like all I’ve heard is lots of noise, while AI companies continue to hammer hosted resources across the Internet to build their next model, the US government continues to claim they’ll use AI to solve problems of waste and fraud, companies like Shopify claim they won’t hire anyone unless it can be proven that AI cannot do the job, and an increasing % of the content I encounter is AI slop. Maybe this is all necessary for a proper backlash to form, and I definitely want to become more aware of the positives anywhere I can find them. I’m not an AI doomer, but haven’t yet found the optimism you describe.
    - TheGrognardling 2y ago
      The EU AI Act, while I personally find it to be overreach, has certain points that I certainly agree with, and are encouraging given that every major platform has huge userbases in the EU. The first Executive Order on AI in the US following announcement of the AI Action Plan is surprisingly rigid whilst still encouraging innovation, especially given all of the drama regarding federal agencies as-of late. Creative industries are increasingly drawing clear lines on where AI use is and isn't acceptable, especially among individual studios and unions following the SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023-2024. And ultimately, this is all not even considering the profound advancements in education, biotech, and healthcare. This is very easy to lose sight of, especially given rapid advancements, but it's important. I think certain companies like Anthropic definitely have safety approaches that I agree with more, being more thoughtful and having clearly-outlined scaling policies (such as the latest Responsible Scaling Policy effective March 31 of this year) versus more vague safety promises such as from companies such as OpenAI and Google. Websites such as https://www.freethink.com https://www.freethink.com have wonderful essays espousing techno-humanism that ultimately gives compelling arguments on how AI will be a progressively beneficial force on humanity, rather than detract from it. Yes, there WILL be growing pains - as is what happened with the internet and the World Wide Web. But, I am confident that we will adapt. There is no better time in history to be living in than right now.

pixl97 2y ago

>But I think it’s going to be a rough ride, and whatever new equilibrium we reach will be the result of much turmoil. Honestly visual media just seems to be the start. In the past two years we've seen about as much robotics progress as the last 20. If this momentum keeps up then we're not just talking about artists that are going to have issues.

TheGrognardling 2y ago
Honestly, I'm pretty encouraged by all of the projects and efforts within legislation and organizations regarding clear lines being drawn - i.e., through watermarking to clearly label whether something is AI-generated or not - as well as the efforts by industries for livelihoods to be protected, specifically in the creative space, where human intentionality and feeling are still of the utmost essentiality. We've seen, are seeing, and will see cultural and societal acceptance and backlash against one thing or another, but I'm confident that we will adapt. Ultimately, pushback, thanks to the Web itself, is already pretty monumental among artists and even other AI researchers in many respects - regulations for the internet, largely due to lack of the Web, were far slower to materialize, on an exponential scale. I remain optimistic that we will find the niches where AI is needed, where it isn't, and where it is detrimental.
- haswell 2y ago
  While I know there have been plenty of scathing essays, backlash among various communities, etc. do you have some concrete examples of the clear lines being drawn and legislation that gives you this optimism? Maybe the progress you’re describing has escaped me because of the sheer speed this is all unfolding, but it feels like all I’ve heard is lots of noise, while AI companies continue to hammer hosted resources across the Internet to build their next model, the US government continues to claim they’ll use AI to solve problems of waste and fraud, companies like Shopify claim they won’t hire anyone unless it can be proven that AI cannot do the job, and an increasing % of the content I encounter is AI slop. Maybe this is all necessary for a proper backlash to form, and I definitely want to become more aware of the positives anywhere I can find them. I’m not an AI doomer, but haven’t yet found the optimism you describe.
  - TheGrognardling 2y ago
    The EU AI Act, while I personally find it to be overreach, has certain points that I certainly agree with, and are encouraging given that every major platform has huge userbases in the EU. The first Executive Order on AI in the US following announcement of the AI Action Plan is surprisingly rigid whilst still encouraging innovation, especially given all of the drama regarding federal agencies as-of late. Creative industries are increasingly drawing clear lines on where AI use is and isn't acceptable, especially among individual studios and unions following the SAG-AFTRA strikes of 2023-2024. And ultimately, this is all not even considering the profound advancements in education, biotech, and healthcare. This is very easy to lose sight of, especially given rapid advancements, but it's important. I think certain companies like Anthropic definitely have safety approaches that I agree with more, being more thoughtful and having clearly-outlined scaling policies (such as the latest Responsible Scaling Policy effective March 31 of this year) versus more vague safety promises such as from companies such as OpenAI and Google. Websites such as https://www.freethink.com https://www.freethink.com have wonderful essays espousing techno-humanism that ultimately gives compelling arguments on how AI will be a progressively beneficial force on humanity, rather than detract from it. Yes, there WILL be growing pains - as is what happened with the internet and the World Wide Web. But, I am confident that we will adapt. There is no better time in history to be living in than right now.