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Artists Push Back Against AI-Generated “Starter Pack” Images, Fearing Threat to Creative Professions
A burgeoning trend using artificial intelligence (AI) to create “starter pack” digital images depicting individuals as toys has sparked a backlash from artists and creatives. They contend that this AI-driven phenomenon poses a potential risk to their livelihoods and devalues human creativity. Despite warnings regarding environmental impact, data privacy concerns, and the erosion of artistic value, thousands have participated in uploading photos to generate these doll-like representations since early April.
Concerns Over AI Image Trend
Custom Action Figure Artist Expresses Anxiety
Nick Lavellee, a custom action figure creator with six years of experience, voiced apprehension about the potential threat to his profession due to the proliferation of AI-generated images across social media platforms. Lavellee, who sells his handmade figures for up to $250 on his website Wicked Joyful and is expanding his business with a physical store, noted the oversaturation of AI art diminishes the unique aesthetic of handcrafted pieces.
“People are tired of seeing them,” Lavellee stated, emphasizing the artistic distinctions between AI-generated content and human-crafted art. His bespoke figures have garnered attention from comedians, film directors, and musicians, demonstrating the value placed on unique, handmade creations.
#StarterPackNoAI Movement Gains Momentum
The sentiment of safeguarding human creativity resonates widely within the artistic community, evidenced by the rise of the #StarterPackNoAI movement. Originating on Instagram in early April and subsequently spreading to X, the hashtag has been utilized thousands of times as artists actively resist the AI image trend.
Artists Respond with Human-Created ‘Starter Packs’
In response to the AI-driven trend, artists are creating and sharing their own human-made “starter packs.” Spanish artist Patouret initiated this counter-trend, prompting a wave of participation from fellow creatives.
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Maria Picassó Piquer, another artist, joined the movement “for fun, but also as a statement.” She highlighted the remarkable diversity in human-created starter packs compared to the homogenous nature of AI-generated images. “While AI pieces all looked more or less the same, I was amazed at the variety of the ‘human’ works,” Piquer observed, emphasizing the personal touch and individuality inherent in human artwork.
“Plus, self-portraits added an extra layer of, well, humanity,” she added, emphasizing the personal expression absent in AI creations.
Intellectual Property and Client Concerns
Piquer and numerous other artists express dual concerns about AI-generated images. These include the infringement of intellectual property rights due to AI algorithms being trained on existing artwork without consent, and the potential reduction in opportunities to secure new clients as AI design tools become more prevalent.
Illustrators Report Contract Losses to AI
Dav le Dessineux, an illustrator based in France, reported that some professionals in his field have already experienced contract losses due to the increasing adoption of AI design solutions. His contribution to the counter-trend, a starter pack featuring only a pencil and paper, underscores the fundamental tools of human artistry. Dav expressed weariness with the “deluge of AI-generated doll images” and aimed to remind people of the essential elements of artistic creation.
Simplicity and Originality in Art
Dav emphasized that basic tools are sufficient for artistic creation and originality. Artist Eli Dibitonto echoed this view, describing his digitally illustrated starter pack as “carefree and fun,” and asserting that “Art isn’t meant to be perfect or look flawless.”
Personal Expression and Time Investment
Evie Joyce, an illustrator and student, underscored the significance of personal investment in human-created art. She noted that crafting her own artwork allowed for thoughtful reflection and the incorporation of personal experiences over several hours – a stark contrast to the instantaneous nature of AI image generation.
“I think that what’s so magical about it is you’re seeing people put time and effort and their personality, all of their experiences, into pieces of art,” Joyce stated. She further argued that AI, by potentially appropriating artists’ styles, “just loses that touch of personality” that defines authentic human artistic endeavor.
AI’s Potential and Misapplication
Acknowledging AI’s Utility
Despite concerns, Nick Lavellee recognizes the potential benefits of AI technology beyond its current application in generating trendy images. “I don’t necessarily want to say AI is bad when I know that it could be a useful tool,” he acknowledged, noting that many have likely explored its capabilities.
Expert Critique of AI’s Frivolous Use
Henk van Ess, an expert in AI for investigative research, highlights the disparity between AI’s potential and its current trivial applications, such as generating “starter packs.” He likened this misapplication to “using the Large Hadron Collider to heat up your Pot Noodle,” emphasizing the wastefulness of utilizing advanced technology for superficial purposes when it could be applied to address significant global challenges like climate change.
Van Ess argues that while technically impressive, focusing AI’s capabilities on generating fleeting digital trends distracts from its potential to solve “real-world problems.”
The Enduring Value of Human Artistry
Confidence in Craftsmanship
Despite the rise of AI-generated content, Lavellee maintains a positive outlook, confident that those who appreciate his handmade action figures recognize the intrinsic value of human artistry. “The musicians who get my stuff… know it’s my artwork, they know it’s mine,” he affirmed.
Dav le Dessineux similarly expressed faith in the enduring appeal of human craftsmanship. Comparing the situation to furniture making, he noted that “people still call on cabinetmakers” despite mass-produced alternatives, expressing hope to be recognized as a valued artisan in his field.
Hope for Appreciation of Authentic Creation
Lavellee, who finds purpose in “bringing joy to people” through his art, voiced hope that the public will tire of AI-generated action figures and discern the qualitative difference between computer-generated content and authentic, human-created artwork. “I really hope people are totally sick of AI action figures,” he concluded, expressing optimism that discerning consumers will appreciate “the difference in something that I’m doing versus what is computer-generated.”