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

A well-liked illustration and animation app for iPads has proudly declared that it’s AI-free.

On Sunday, Procreate on X launched a video from CEO James Cuda explaining that the app won’t introduce generative AI into its merchandise.

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

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On Procreates web siteon a web page explaining the app’s resolution, it says it won’t use generative AI, that it’s going to not have entry to customers’ work, and that Procreate doesn’t monitor consumer exercise. This implies that Procreate won’t use artists’ work to coach and implement generative AI instruments, in contrast to different inventive instruments that just do that. Not like Cuda, which didn’t mince phrases, Procreate believes there’s a place for generative AI, simply not within the inventive subject: “We expect machine studying is a compelling know-how with numerous worth, however the path generative AI is taking is the unsuitable one for us.”

Procreate’s anti-AI stance displays a rising sentiment in inventive communities that generative AI devalues ​​human-made artwork. Corporations like Adobe and Canva have jumped on the AI ​​bandwagon by providing generative AI instruments for producing and modifying multimedia. Not solely do such instruments threaten to exchange jobs in inventive industries, they’re additionally being skilled on human-made artwork, generally with out attribution or consent. The implementation of generative AI options for creativity instruments has stoked worry and mistrust amongst creatives who really feel their livelihoods are being destroyed by the very instruments they rely upon.

Not too long ago, a really insensitive Apple advert that actually squashed artist instruments right into a smooth iPad Professional — which is filled with AI-powered inventive instruments — confirmed customers’ mistrust of know-how. “I heard the underlying message loud and clear,” wrote Mashable’s Mike Pearl. “Corporations do not should fake to respect their prospects; they simply should get them to spend their cash.”

Rather a lot has modified in a 12 months since many generative AI instruments have been unleashed on the plenty. Wall Road demand for AI investments has declined, and shopper response to utilizing generative AI for inventive duties, like writing a fan letter to an Olympian, has not been as optimistic as anticipated.

Final 12 months, Procreate’s assertion would have been thought of enterprise suicide. However right now, it could possibly be the important thing to buyer loyalty. Cuda’s put up, which has 60,000 likes and continues to develop, is filled with feedback of help and appreciation, other than the occasional remark saying it was short-sighted. “I solely use this software program often, however now I’ll get pleasure from utilizing it much more,” mentioned an X consumer.

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“I am so glad to proceed utilizing the app. Please by no means promote your self to suit-wearing individuals who do not care about something, even when it is some huge cash,” mentioned one other. “In a world filled with corporations placing AI into the whole lot they make, this sounds so good,” echoed one other X consumer.

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