Leading Artists Express Concern Over Job Loss as AI Advances Disrupt Creative Industry
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has sparked fear among artists who worry about potential job loss and industry chaos. According to a report by Goldman Sachs, as many as 300 million jobs could be disrupted by AI, leaving many workers in various fields concerned about the future of their careers.
In the world of art and design, artists have already started experiencing the impact of generative AI. Image generators like Dall-E and Stable Diffusion have gained significant popularity, but their rise has resulted in fewer work opportunities for artists. Eva Toorenent, a freelance artist and illustrator, was shocked to discover that another artist had used her artwork posted on Instagram to fine-tune AI models and produce art in her style. The stolen artwork was then sold to a gallery, leaving Toorenent feeling violated and powerless.
Toorenent’s experience is not isolated. Many artists have encountered generative AI in their work, finding that the technology is being used to cut corners and costs at their expense. This is especially noticeable in freelance and entry-level art jobs, particularly in industries like film, TV, and gaming.
Reid Southen, a concept artist and illustrator in the film industry, noticed a decline in job opportunities, partially due to the worsening economy but also because companies are turning to AI during the concept stage. AI algorithms can generate numerous ideas and concepts quickly, reducing the need for human artists’ input. Karla Ortiz, another concept artist, shared a similar experience, witnessing generative AI being used in three of her production projects, ultimately diminishing her hours and compensation.
The increasing prevalence of generative AI in the art industry is particularly detrimental to aspiring artists and those at the start of their careers. Game companies’ use of AI-generated concept art and mood boards limits opportunities for up-and-coming artists to gain recognition and establish their portfolios.
The impact of AI on jobs extends beyond the creative industry. Various companies, including tech giant IBM and telecommunications provider BT, have already incorporated AI into their downsizing strategies. AI is being used as a justification for layoffs and cost-cutting measures, sparking concerns about the prioritization of profit over human employees.
Moreover, the AI image generators that artists often lose work to are often trained on artwork scraped from the internet, including their own creations. This raises alarming questions about consent and ownership, as artists’ work is exploited and used to train AI models without their permission.
In response to these concerns, three artists have filed a lawsuit against Stability AI and Midjourney, accusing them of copyright infringement by scraping and using their artwork to train AI models. By taking legal action, these artists aim to set a precedent regarding the ethical and legal boundaries of AI development.
Academics and experts, like Ben Zhao from the University of Chicago, are also worried about the impact of generative AI on the next generation of artists. Zhao and his team have developed Glaze, a tool that applies a filter to digital artworks to prevent AI models from learning an artist’s style and reproducing it. Glaze serves as a temporary solution, buying time for legal and regulatory systems to establish rules and guidelines for dealing with AI.
While the future of human creativity remains uncertain, it is crucial to address the challenges posed by AI’s widespread adoption carefully. By considering the perspectives of artists, acknowledging the impact on job opportunities, and establishing ethical guidelines, society can strive to strike a balance between technological advancement and human creativity.
