The other day, I was on TikTok searching for graphic designers because I wanted inspiration and ideas for a graphic design. While scrolling, I stumbled across a page with some of the most horrible comments I have ever read in my life. So many people in the comment section were accusing the creator of using AI for his designs. They condemned AI completely and said they would never support or patronize any work whether it was a storybook, artwork, or any content they suspected was AI generated.
Honestly, it felt like a whole community had come together just to antagonize development : a system you simply cannot beat. Remember the phrase, “If you can’t beat them, join them”? In this case, they completely ignored it. They spoke low of the creator and many creators using AI. They called their work unoriginal. They said AI-generated work was unethical and harmful to creative industries. They went on and on, trying to convince everyone else to join their side.
HYPOCRISY AROUND AI
You use Google Search every day. You sit comfortably at home watching Netflix movies recommended specifically for you. How do you think that happens? You use Google Maps for directions. You use tools and systems every single day to improve the quality and convenience of your life, yet you attack creators for using similar technology to earn a living. Or do people not realize that many of these systems are AI-powered? Your autocorrect on WhatsApp : what do you think that is?
You cannot choose the side of AI that benefits you personally while condemning other people for using it too. It does not work like that. The truth is, we all use AI, consciously or unconsciously, so there should not be so much hypocrisy around it.
THE SAME FEAR, DIFFERENT ERA
Years ago, people reacted the same way to platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Some people said social media was bad, useless, and dangerous. Today, many others have built careers, businesses, and even made millions from those same platforms. People are building businesses, creating opportunities, and making money with AI, while others are forming online communities just to attack creators who choose to use it. Do people realize how much money industries are making from AI already? Do they realize how many companies are investing heavily in it because they know it is shaping the future?
When a major technological development happens, society cannot simply fight it out of existence. History has shown that over and over again.