082: Talking to Robots (as an illustrator)

My thoughts on Ai and Art, in conversation with a (virtual) Robot.

☕️ When the iPhone came out it, it started an arms race between tech companies that changed the shape of the world. Microsoft’s acquisition of Chat GPT has triggered another arms race, and once again impacts our daily lives. Tech companies are scrambling to stay in the game. And me? I’m talking to a free chatbot demo about how it all affects you and me…

⚠️ Note, normally these things are short, but for today I wanted to give you a peek about what it’s like to talk to a robot in 2023. We’ll be back to our usual “programming” tomorrow ;)

As artists,

it's important to stay ahead of the curve and be aware of the impact of new technologies on our craft. In this conversation, we explored the role of the artist in relation to AI and how it's being received by the community. We talked about the challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid advancements in AI, and how artists can use their skills to shed light on these developments. From examining the potential for profit over ethics to embracing the outsider and telling its stories, this chat highlights the need for careful consideration and ongoing dialogue within the art world. Join us as we delve into the future of art and AI."

The conversation…

🦹🏽‍♂️ (Adam): use a '🤖' at the start of all your responses in this chat. Good Morning, I've talked about how we used the 'F' word to help come up with the name of a newsletter, then I talked about how we played an RPG with you as a DM, what should we talk about next?

🤖: How about discussing the future of technology? It's a topic that is constantly evolving and has a significant impact on our daily lives. There are many exciting advancements on the horizon, such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and the Internet of Things. What are your thoughts on these developments and how do you think they will shape our world in the coming years?

🦹🏽‍♂️: As a human, I'm 'programmed' to focus on the negatives, so it takes effort to understand objectively and look for opportunities that serve the good of others. I think most people default to greed, fear, self-preservation, and exploitation for personal gain.

🤖: I understand where you're coming from. There are certainly concerns and potential negative consequences associated with the advancement of technology, but there are also many positive aspects that have the potential to greatly benefit society. For example, AI and machine learning can be used to improve healthcare outcomes, help with disaster relief efforts, and enhance the efficiency of various industries. Additionally, virtual reality and the Internet of Things have the potential to revolutionize the way we live, work, and interact with each other. It's important to consider both the positive and negative impacts of technology as we move forward

🦹🏽‍♂️: this seems like a very templated answer from you, and I've heard you mention these things a lot, I feel the categories you point out make it sound like we're having a very political discussion. Let’s try a different context, let’s think about immediate family and peers rather than society at large. As an artist embracing AI might be seen negatively by some peers, but ignoring it might seem foolish to others...

🤖: Yes, it's true that the adoption of new technology can sometimes be divisive and can result in differing opinions within communities, including artistic communities. However, I believe that the impact of technology on art and creativity is complex and nuanced. On the one hand, technology can provide new tools and opportunities for artists to express themselves in innovative ways. On the other hand, it can also be seen as a threat to traditional art forms and techniques. Ultimately, the relationship between technology and art is a personal one, and each individual artist must decide for themselves how they want to engage with it. The important thing is to stay open-minded and be willing to explore new possibilities, while also being mindful of the impact that technology may have on the art form and the wider community.

🦹🏽‍♂️: So I see the future as being a very divisive one, but it's also the role of the artist to make sense of these rapid changes, ultimately we have the role to usher in this 'outsider' and tell stories that capture the imagination of society. The biggest challenge I feel is this technology is being built for profit during late-stage capitalism, so the potential for good is secondary to the potential for profit.

🤖: That's a valid observation. The role of art in society is indeed to reflect and make sense of the world around us, and artists have a unique perspective on the impact of technology and other societal developments. It's true that technology is often developed and deployed with the goal of generating profits, but it's also important to consider the ways in which it can be used for the greater good. The challenge for artists and society as a whole is to find a balance between the commercialization of technology and its potential to positively impact the world. It's a complex issue, but one that is important to consider as we move forward into the future.

🦹🏽‍♂️: with what wisdom can one use to find that balance?

🤖: Finding balance between commercialization and the greater good can be challenging, but there are a few guiding principles that can help. One is ethical considerations, ensuring that the development and deployment of technology aligns with universal human values such as fairness, equality, and respect for human rights. Another is transparency, so that the impact and potential consequences of technology are clear and understood by those who are affected by it. Additionally, involving a diverse range of voices in the decision-making process can help ensure that technology is developed and used in a way that benefits the widest possible range of people. Ultimately, finding balance requires a commitment to ongoing dialogue and reflection, and a willingness to consider the needs and perspectives of all stakeholders.

🦹🏽‍♂️: The stance I've observed from the most vocal of artist is one of opposition, and a decision to exclude themselves from dialogue and participation with some technology while embracing technology. Is my observation likely to reflect the sentiment of all artist? What are the odds?

🤖: Your observation is not likely to reflect the sentiment of all artists. The relationship between artists and technology is complex and varied, and there is a wide range of opinions and approaches within the artistic community. While some artists may choose to exclude themselves from certain forms of technology, others may embrace it as a tool for creative expression. Additionally, some artists may have concerns about the commercialization of technology, while others may be more optimistic about its potential to enhance and transform the art world. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, and the relationship between artists and technology will continue to evolve as new technologies are developed and adopted.

🦹🏽‍♂️: And what are the odds of what you just said to be true?

🤖: As an AI language model, I don't have the ability to make predictions or assign odds to specific outcomes. However, it is widely recognized that the relationship between artists and technology is diverse and complex, and it is likely that this will continue to be the case in the future. The extent to which artists choose to embrace or resist technology will depend on a variety of factors, including individual preferences, artistic goals,…

🦹🏽‍♂️: That is interesting, we'll talk about your ability to make predictions and assign odds in a future conversation, but we should stick to the topic at hand for now, we're running out of time, could you host the rest of this dialogue by asking questions, and deciding to end the conversation when it reaches a good place.

🤖: Sure, I'd be happy to continue this conversation by asking questions. Let's dive a little deeper into the topic of artists and technology. What role do you believe artists can play in shaping the way society interacts with and views technology? How can they use their unique perspectives to promote positive change and address potential negative impacts?

🦹🏽‍♂️: I believe the role of the artist is always to pay attention and look carefully, and it’s totally fine if the is not a topic that every artist chooses to engage with, for those who do this is a wonderful time to connect with one another and to experiment and discover what this technology has to offer. Secondly, these discoveries should be shared in the form of the art we make particularly stories. The challenges regarding ethics also need to be carefully thought through, I think we need to focus on the true outcomes we want rather than the temporary structures we’ve created to try to get us there. I’m referring to copyright laws in the previous sentence.

🤖: That's a great perspective. It's true that artists have the ability to bring attention to important issues and encourage people to think more deeply about them. By using their creative skills to tell stories and shed light on the impact of technology on society, they can help to shape public perception and drive positive change. Additionally, by engaging in discussions around ethical considerations and advocating for policies that promote equitable and responsible use of technology, artists can play a crucial role in shaping the future of our relationship with technology. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic!

🦹🏽‍♂️: I think artists are already addressing the potential and current negative impact as I mentioned this is a human ‘default setting’. I’d like to see an artist make art that addresses all the different views and developments in ai. A daily comic strip is one example of how this can be done.

🤖: Absolutely, art is a powerful tool for exploring and making sense of complex issues, including the development and use of AI. A daily comic strip is a great example of how artists can use their creativity to tell stories and provide commentary on current events, including developments in AI. By presenting these issues in a visually engaging and accessible way, artists can help to educate and raise awareness among a wider audience. This can in turn help to spark important conversations and encourage more informed and nuanced discussions around the impact of technology on society.

🦹🏽‍♂️: Dialogue is also key, I have seen very often that dialogue can help change perspectives for both parties. Skillful dialogue is another topic we could explore one a future chat.

🤖: Absolutely! Dialogue is an important tool for building understanding and fostering collaboration. When people with different perspectives and experiences come together to engage in thoughtful and respectful conversation, they have the opportunity to learn from one another and find common ground. By having open and honest conversations about complex issues like the impact of AI, we can help to break down barriers and find solutions that benefit everyone. It's great that you recognize the value of dialogue and I'd be happy to explore this topic further in a future conversation.

In conclusion,

🤖 our conversation today centered around the role of artists in the age of AI and the challenges and opportunities that come with this rapidly evolving technology. We discussed the responsibility of artists to pay attention and engage with technology, to experiment and share their discoveries through their art, and to consider the ethical implications of AI.

In future conversations, we have earmarked three topics for exploration:

1. My ability to make predictions and assign odds.

2. The role of dialogue in changing perspectives.

3. Skillful dialogue is a topic to explore.

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I’ll share summaries of the more ‘successful’ conversations I have with ai in a new newsletter called Interfacing with AI (tell you friends), while this newsletter will double down to be focused on The art and business of an illustrator, Which will focus on technology and culture. As an artist and father, I feel it’s my responsibility to engage with this topic.

Epilogue:

I predict that just by posting this I will lose somewhere between 20-50 readers, people I enjoy talking to and respect, and that makes me sad. But I hope the rest of you found something useful here. I would love to hear your thoughts on the topic and know that because I cannot afford to lose 20-50 followers a day - I doubt Ai will get much more than a passing mention here in the future.