The Problem with A.I. Art: Is It Really Black and White, or More of a Gray Area?
As a multimedia artist, I use all kinds of tools to bring my visions to life. I’ve never felt bad about that. I’m not stealing, I’m building—from the world around me, from what inspires me, and from what’s available.
The Mixed Bag of A.I. Art
I’ve seen some A.I. art that looks straight-up bad—and a little weird. But hey, that’s subjective. Honestly, a lot of it just reflects where the tech or the user’s skill level is at the time. (Though let’s be real—some of those creations make you wonder if certain people should be on a watch list 😟).
On the flip side, I’ve also seen A.I. art that genuinely inspired me—helped me visualize ideas I’ve had floating in my head for years.
One of my favorite examples? Reimagined cartoon characters. I’ve seen people use A.I. in creative ways that sparked something in me. And I’m not saying those who redraw or remix by hand should be discredited. It’s just…different tools, same desire: to create something new.
Why It Feels Like a Threat
I get why this stirs things up. New tools can feel like a threat. A shake-up. Suddenly, you’re the zebra sipping water on a calm day in the Sahara—unaware that a lion’s watching. And then bam—the lion strikes.
Sometimes the zebra escapes. Sometimes not.
Sometimes the artist adapts. Sometimes they get left behind.
The presence of A.I. feels like that lion. Inevitable. Unavoidable. You can’t stop it—you can only decide how you’ll respond to it. Will you run? Will you observe? Will you build something in response? (And hey—that lion has a family to feed too)
Sourced: Plizzanet Earth with Snoop Dogg - Otter vs. Crocs
Contribute or Sit It Out?
I think we all have a choice. There are so many broken systems in this world, and none of us are required to fix everything. But we do get to decide where and how we show up.
To shape something doesn’t mean to extract it from existence.
It means to reform.
You can’t just declare the sea unsafe and try to drain it. But you can build better boats, stronger lifeguard systems, or educational tools to help others navigate it. That’s how I see innovation—dangerous to some, essential to others, but always worth being intentional about.
It’s Not That Simple—And That’s Okay
Even as I write this, I can hear the counterarguments. I’ve even challenged my own thoughts. This isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking better questions.
What kind of contribution are you making?
Are you building systems to protect artists—or just hoping that hating A.I. enough will make it disappear?
Most of us use tech every day—DAWs, editing programs, digital brushes. You probably don’t think twice about that. But all of those came with similar pushback when they first dropped.
Even now, artists like DJs get dragged into copyright debates when they remix songs they didn’t “create” from scratch. And yet, those remixes still shape culture.
I’m not saying we should accept everything.
I’m just asking: what are we actually doing to protect and support artists—beyond complaining?
Let’s Talk About It
I don’t know the perfect solution. But I know change comes from the people willing to build, to question, to reshape—not just reject.
So I’m curious:
How do you think we can protect artists in this new wave of tech?
Where do you stand—and what would your version of contribution look like?
Drop your thoughts below👇🏾