Procreate’s anti-AI stance is music to artists’ ears

A preferred illustration and animation app for iPads has proudly declared that it is AI-free.

On Sunday, Procreate posted a video on X of CEO James Cuda, saying, the app will not be introducing any generative AI into its merchandise.

“I actually fucking hate generative AI. I do not like what’s occurring within the business and I do not like what it is doing to artists,” stated Cuda. “We do not precisely know the place this story goes or the way it ends, however we consider that we’re on the best path supporting human creativity,” he continued.

On Procreate’s web site, a web page explaining the app’s resolution says it will not use generative AI, that it would not have entry to consumer work, and that consumer exercise shouldn’t be tracked by Procreate. The inference right here is that Procreate will not use artists’ works to coach and implement generative AI instruments, not like different inventive instruments which are doing simply that. In contrast to, Cuda who did not mince phrases, Procreate believes there’s a spot for generative AI, simply not within the inventive house: “We expect machine studying is a compelling expertise with lots of advantage, however the path generative AI is on is mistaken for us.”

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Procreate’s anti-AI stance displays a rising sentiment in artist communities that generative AI devalues human-created artwork. Corporations like Adobe and Canva have jumped on the AI bandwagon by providing generative AI instruments for producing and modifying multimedia. Such instruments not solely threaten to switch jobs in inventive industries, they’re skilled on human-created artwork, typically with out credit score or consent. The implementation of generative AI options for creativity instruments has stoked concern and distrust amongst creatives who really feel that their livelihoods are being snuffed out by the very instruments they depend on.

Just lately, a really tone-deaf Apple advert that actually crushed artist instruments right into a glossy iPad Professional — that comes filled with AI-powered inventive instruments — all however confirmed customers’ suspicions about tech. “I heard the underlying message loud and clear,” wrote Mashable’s Mike Pearl. “Corporations do not must faux they respect their prospects; they only must get them to half with their cash.”

Loads has modified in a 12 months, since many generative AI instruments have been let free on the plenty. Wall Road’s demand for AI funding has waned, and shopper response to utilizing generative AI for inventive duties, like writing a fan letter to an Olympian, has not been acquired as positively as anticipated.

Final 12 months, Procreate’s declaration would have been thought-about enterprise suicide. However at present, it is likely to be the important thing to buyer loyalty. Cuda’s publish, which has 60,000 likes and counting, is full of feedback of assist and appreciation, apart from the occasional feedback that stated it was short-sighted. “I’m an occasional consumer of this software program, however now I’ll take pleasure in utilizing all of it the way in which extra,” stated one X consumer.

“Makes me extremely comfortable to proceed utilizing the app. Please by no means promote out to fits that don’t care even when the cash is massive,” stated one other. “In a world stuffed with firms placing AI in every thing they make, this sounds so good,” echoed one other X consumer.