I get a lot of negative comments on posts that include AI* images. The most common ones are; “AI has no place in a Solar Punk future,” “AI is taking jobs,” “AI uses lots of energy,” “AI is stealing/killing creativity…”
All of these are of course completely valid comments, in the right context, except for one small caveat, it’s the economic system that’s the problem, not the technology, and this has been true throughout all history.

The Luddites were not anti-technology. They were a labour movement that fought to give workers control over a technology that was advancing without oversight and rapidly automating them out of their jobs. They wanted to see technology used for the betterment of all, and not as a tool that harmed workers and helped only the wealthy. They didn’t see technology as a problem. The problem was how technology was being used by mill and factory owners (Capitalists) to exploit workers, diminish their power and turn workers wages into higher company profits.

Throughout human history technology has been used to take control away from workers, lower their salaries and diminish their power. This is exactly what’s happening with some AI right now, but it’s also happening with other technology in Agriculture, Manufacturing, Mining, Construction and pretty much every other industry. AI is just the latest invention, which, under a capitalist system is, doing exactly what it all technology does. Capitalism is motivated only by profits and Authoritarianism is motivated only by power, it’s never going to be any different. Every new technology allows for more exploitation and more control. The big question is what can we do?

We really only have two choices. Same as we had in all history. Accept the status quo, or change the current systems. Simply declaring, “I’m not going to use this technology” or lets “Boycott this technology” is not going to change much, it never has. LINK Reducing our individual carbon footprint, changes very little, because we live in a system that’s designed to continually grow and use more energy. The only way that real change happens, is when it’s system change.

In our daily lives we absolutely should all make the right ethical, environmental and socially just decisions. We should where possible reduce our personal emissions and boycott unethical companies. But don’t see that as the solution, it’s just the right thing to do. These problems are the result of the system and that is what needs changing. If you can avoid using AI images in commercial projects, do that. Instead, pay photographers and Illustrators. If you are using AI personally, like I am, be aware it has a carbon footprint and act accordingly. (It can be a lot more energy efficient to create an image using AI than using Maya or Blender. The main energy consumption issue with AI is the over use and inappropriate/frivolous use of AI art generation tools.)

As for copyright and creativity, the idea that a person or an AI machine should pay money to look at other art, be inspired by it and then use it in their own work, is a Capitalist idea. Artists just want to make a decent living doing what they do. In Capitalist or Authoritarian systems Artists are forced to copyright their work and sue those who infringe on their IP, not because they want to, but because that’s the way the system is set up. Outside these systems, in perhaps a Solar Punk future, Artists would be sufficiently rewarded and valued for their creativity. They would not have to fight for crumbs through copyright, royalties and licensing. We absolutely should demand AI Corporations pay artists for copyright infringements. Let’s do this, but again don’t think this is a solution. The System is designed to support theses corporations, not artists.

In 2004 BP coined the idea of ‘carbon footprints’ to blame end users for its own greed. They used the idea of individual carbon footprints to shift the responsibility for Global Warming away from them. We see sections of the media often attack environmentalists for driving or flying, calling them hypocrites. The same thing is playing out here. People attacking the end user, as if they were the problem. The end user is not the real problem, We should reserve our disgust and anger for those who give us these destructive choices, not for us imperfect people who are forced to live with them.

“Participating in the world as it is, does not disqualify us from trying to improve it.”

Lastly it’s worth quickly mentioning that AI is being used in other fields including Food Production, Renewables, Rewilding and other “Solar Punk Future” activities, with notable positive impact. Though that’s probably another post in itself. I’ll happily discuss any thoughts or comments anyone has on any of the above, HERE

The main reason I’m writing this is because I think it’s an important debate we should have, but I also don’t want every post I make that’s got AI images in it hijacked by people with their own agenda making dismissive, uncompromising comments. We all do our “activism” differently and should respect each other for this. If you make a comment HERE start it with “Hey OWGF .” I am curious to know who is actually reading stuff and who’s already made up their mind.

*AI is not really “AI,” it’s just a catch all term for a number of similar new technologies.