The AI Witch Hunts Have Begun
A few weeks ago I witnessed an unfortunate event unfold on social media. An author was preparing to release a novel with a reputable press and there seemed to be a lot of interest in the book and author. Just prior to its release, however, accusations were made against the author that claimed that said author had used generative artificial intelligence to assist in story creation and even to generate large portions of the novel. After these allegations rose the author lost a significant amount of credibility and the press they were working with decided not to proceed with publishing their novel at that time.
Now I want to preface something: I believe that generative artificial intelligence has no place among creative pursuits, whether that be writing, or visual arts, or something else entirely. The thing that makes any piece of art special is the human soul behind it and AI removes that aspect. Also, the journey of self discovery that every artist must undertake when creating something is robbed from them when it is replaced by artificial means. Because of this, you might be tempted to feel a vindictive gratification that another piece of AI writing was prevented from coming out, however, I want you to imagine for a moment what if that author had not used AI in their writing, but they were only accused of doing so? What if that author spent endless hours stressing about their characters, writing scenes, rewriting those scenes, crying and laughing over imaginary people's suffering (I may or may not do those same things cough cough) only to have that entire project ripped away from them by someone's baseless accusation?
I am not here to judge. I, of course, don't have all the evidence to make such a claim either way. Perhaps that author was guilty of the charges made against them, perhaps not. That, however, is not my point. The point is that we should be diligent in maintaining our creative freedom, but also extending that same freedom to others. It is not our place to judge, because the judgment of humans is most often flawed. A famous religious leader once said regarding religious freedom "I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of [our religion] would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves." This quote, although about religious freedom, not creative freedom, illustrates a similar principle, if not quite as egregious. If we value our own work, we should not degrade or defame others' work because the same would not be appreciated against us in reverse.
It is apparent in many creative fields now, that the introduction of artificial intelligence is becoming commonplace. I will continue to refrain from using generative artificial intelligence in my own creative works because I respect my work and the journey of creation and I urge you to continue alongside me, however, I also caution you to use restraint when forming an angry mob online or throwing unsupported accusations because something someone wrote "feels too much like AI". Let us all be courteous to one another and let our work stand for itself.
Anyway, that's enough of my waffling for one day. Salutations readers and happy creating!
