WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT AI

The real danger isn’t AI. The true danger is never trying it for yourself.

There is a lot of noise about AI in the world and especially in the art world. Headlines shout about copyright infringement, job loss, or creative theft. The narrative is often simple: AI is dangerous. It’s stealing from artists. It’s the end of human creativity.

And while those fears aren’t baseless, they’re not the full story either.

The reality is far more nuanced and far more empowering for artists who are willing to explore, not retreat.

Firsthand vs. Secondhand Fear

Many artists who fear AI haven’t used it. Not really. Not in a hands-on, "let me see what this can do" kind of way. Instead, they’ve absorbed a narrative shaped by headlines, think pieces, and Twitter threads, the majority of which are designed to provoke outrage more than inform.

But here’s the thing: AI is a tool. And like any tool, it can be used well or poorly. The camera didn’t kill painting. Photoshop didn’t kill drawing. And AI won’t kill artistry. But it will challenge us to think more creatively.

AI as Tool, Not Shortcut

Used ethically, AI can be a collaborator, but it is not a cheat code. It’s not about generating an image and calling it your own. It’s about using technology to amplify your own voice, not imitate someone else’s.

Here’s what ethical AI use looks like:

• Prototyping layout ideas before jumping into a canvas

• Generating variations of compositions you created

• Writing or brainstorming with a language model to overcome creative blocks

• Building reference images for things you can’t easily stage or photograph

  
  

It’s not about skipping the process—it’s about supporting the process and generating workflows that serve your time and energy.

What’s unethical? Prompting an AI to mimic a living artist’s style so you don’t have to hire them. Using AI solely to churn out surface-level aesthetic without substance. Passing off generated work as if it were made by hand. That’s not art. That’s extraction.

The Artists Who Try It, Get It

Here’s what usually happens when a skeptical artist actually uses AI:

• They realize it’s not magic—it takes input, direction, and editing.

• They notice it sparks new ideas and workflows.

• They get excited—not because it replaces their skill, but because it expands their toolkit.

Art has always evolved alongside technology. Today is no different. Take an artist mindset and embrace possibility, not fear.

Don’t Let Headlines Define Your Practice

If you're reading this as someone unsure where you stand on AI I would strongly encourage you to try it, use it, on your own terms. Start with your values. Treat it like a pencil, a sketchpad, or mood board.

At the Guild, we’re encouraging artists to explore responsibly, learn openly, and approach the unknown with curiosity, not cynicism. Because artists have always been inventors. And in the right hands, AI isn’t the death of creativity it’s just a new brush on the table.

Would you like to learn more about AI and it's impact on creativity? Let us know if you'd be interested in programming around this topic.