I want to begin with acknowledging that we are all exhausted by the battle being waged by genAI on creative spaces, and the discussion can seem like beating a dead horse. Unfortunately, genAI is only going to grow worse, so it is imperative we know how to address and fight it.
I will first discuss genAI itself, then how we in general, as readers, and then writers can address this issue.
First, let’s quickly detail a few reasons why genAI is destructive:
- It’s obliterating creativity and logical and critical thinking
- It’s encouraging lack of human interaction
- It’s destructive to the environment
- It’s stealing jobs
- It’s created a war on minds, reasoning, and reading, to name a few
- It has been weaponized against creatives
- It has created a lazy society
- It has been trained using stolen material ed using stolen material
God designed our world, our universe, everything, with His incredible creativity. We, as humans, have been given that capability of artistry so that we might honor Him through that which we design and create.
GenAI in creative spaces was trained on work stolen from creatives, and steals from creatives whenever someone uses it to generate a song, book, piece of art, etc. It is fake creativity with no soul and heart.
It is exactly that soul and heart that we pour into real, human work that glorifies God.
Using a program that is not only helps destroy that of which we are to be good stewards (the environment), but that “creates” using stolen artwork, music, and voices does not glorify God.
Simply put, if you were not given the gift of (writing, composing, art, etc.), you aren’t meant to create it, and you especially aren’t meant to create it using stolen work.
“But God hasn’t told me it’s wrong to use generative AI.”
I’ve been told that excuse, and I’ve seen that excuse countless times. To those who use it, I say: Actually, God has specifically stated in the Bible that stealing and lying are sins (Exodus 20:15; Ephesians 4:28; Proverbs 12:22; Colossians 3:9-10).
When you use genAI in a creative space, you are not only using something “designed” by stolen artwork (theft), you are then claiming it as your own (lying).
In General:
How can we address this?
Pray that God will help you respond in a way that glorifies him when you come across pro-genAI people and products. It’s so easy to get angry when we see people celebrating the theft of real artists’ work, but lashing out does nothing but cast you and your argument in a poor light.
Do not join the witch hunt. If you join this vicious witch hunt and accuse creatives of using genAI simply because you didn’t like the book, dislike the artist’s politics, etc., you are just as much the problem as those who are using genAI. NEVER make a PUBLIC accusation unless the artist admits it or there is a prompt left in the book.
Em dashes, similes, and descriptions are not indicators of genAI. Use some common sense and don’t fall into this vile trap.
Don’t support those who use genAI. This is probably where I’ll get some hate mail. But please consider this:
When you support anyone in a creative space who (very obviously) uses genAI, you are telling them you are okay with the theft and lying.
Please consider only supporting creatives who use real human art, music, writing, etc. only.
Don’t fight/argue with the authors who use GenAI. Actions speak louder than words. Engaging in verbal battles will offer no results other than anger and bitterness.
Please keep in mind I’m not talking about the creatives who have been scammed and lied to by art “creators”, “cover designers”, etc. who actually do use genAI in their “work”.
Readers:
How can we address this?
Do not accuse an author or other creative of using genAI simply because you disliked their work. I’m seeing a lot of this, and to those of you who are pulling such idiotic stunts, I have this to say: shut your mouth, sit down, and take a long, long time thinking about the Golden Rule and the dangers of lying.
Please don’t promote with AI covers or where authors have admitted to using genAI to write the books. (Notice how I said admitted?). If you’re not sure, then just keep quiet and move on.
Please support real creatives and their real creativity. It can be as simple as reposting, liking, and recommending a human-created book, song, etc.
Don’t publicly call out those who do use genAI. Just go on your way and don’t engage unless someone specifically asks you.
Authors:
Don’t use genAI for your covers, character art, narration, graphics, etc. (don’t steal from a fellow creative). And don’t hire a designer who uses genAI.
Don’t submit to a publisher who uses genAI for their covers and/or promo materials. If a publisher doesn’t care enough to get you a real human cover, it won’t care enough to not run your book through genAI for “editing” or whatever other nonsense enters their mind.
Find ways to cut costs without using genAI. A big argument is generating a cover helps those with small budgets. There is NEVER a justifiable excuse for using genAI. Either put in the work and learn how to make a cover yourself (although designing on Canva has caused some authors major problems), or find a designer who doesn’t charge an arm, leg, and lung.
Simply put, if you can’t afford it, don’t go into debt, whether moral or financial, to do it. I saved up for several years to afford my first cover before I learned how to design my own.
In Conclusion
I’m not saying you can’t be a Christian if you use genAI. Your salvation is not determined on whether or not you use genAI. But it is a direct violation of our faith to utilize it in creative spaces.
If you do use genAI for anything related to your specific choice of creativity, I beg you to reconsider.
No amount of “less effort”, “easiness”, or “quick output” is worth the consequences—moral, environmental, and creatively—of using genAI.
