Views on AI…
As some of you know, I am a former biomedical research scientist turned professor, writer, and potter. Beyond the obvious of not being able to choose a career, this means that I’ve experienced the rapid shifts in AI usage these last few years in education, research, and creative spaces. And my oh my, it’s been a hoot…
Since I began writing, there have been an unfathomable number of changes in AI capability, accessibility, and acceptability across all sectors. Lately, there have been a lot of movements to ban AI from certain spaces, and there are a lot of strong opinions out there on both sides. So, I’d like to take this opportunity to share my thoughts. Before we dive into the tangled mess of my brain, I would like to make it very clear that these are my opinions, and opinions can change. That’s one of the beauties of being human… however, I find it less important what any given person’s opinion is and rather more valuable when they can explain why they have it.
My view on AI is that it is a tool—like a hammer. A hammer, in the right hand and for the right purpose, can accomplish some pretty wonderful things. For example, my spouse built me a pretty adorable bookshelf early on in our relationship with a hammer and nails before discovering wood screws. It’s still holding up to this day, but it would have been a near-impossible task to complete without that hammer. That said, a dear friend of mine also had her business broken into by someone using a hammer to break a window and undo a lock. And it’s definitely sketchy if someone claims to have made something without a hammer when they actually used one the entire time. So, as cliche as it sounds, I find it is how the tool is wielded that dictates the morality of its actions. I feel very much the same about AI.
Now, a hammer is quite a crude tool, so it may not be the best analogy for a technology that can mimic human speech or create art in a matter of seconds. But we’ve all used a calculator at one point in our life, right? When the first digital calculators became common use, I guarantee that many mathematicians decried them as the downfall of our society. A skill that took them years and years to develop now could be done in a few seconds by nearly anyone. And yet, mathematicians used that same calculator to solve complex world problems that someone like me could never dream of. I’m just glad I have one on my phone now, so I don’t have to panic when calculating tips… and yes, the panic is real. Why? Because I’m neurodivergent, which brings me to my next point…
As a neurodivergent individual, I have always been aware of that socially drawn line that so many of us walk where we feel that by accommodating ourselves, we are somehow cheating or being judged. Anyone who is differently-abled has likely felt this, too, though I dare not speak for everyone. But over the years, I’ve tried to continually view everything I do through a lens of equity and accessibility. While AI can clearly be abused, I find the power of its accessibility worth exploring. Spellcheck was a game changer for people with dyslexia, and text-to-speech software made so much knowledge more accessible to those with auditory processing disorders or vision impairments. So, I very much view and treat the various forms of AI usage through the same lens - where are they helping, and where could they be hurting if used inappropriately?
So, how do I use AI? I use generative AI for inspiration art, and I include these inspiration generations on my website and social media posts labeled as such. I used stock images and Procreate for my first book cover, and my second cover was done in collaboration with a local artist. I will occasionally use generative AI to brainstorm marketing quips - why? Because one of the main facets of my neurodivergence is that I’m harsh on myself and find it nearly impossible to say anything good or positive about anything I’ve done or created. And honestly, AI has helped me work through this so much by providing me examples of ways to say things that are accurate but not self-deprecating. I do not use generative AI in my writing, only grammar and spell check software. And my latest adventure has been in the realm of narration...
Through KDP, I was invited to the beta version of the Virtual Voice software, which converts KDP ebooks to audiobooks using digital voices. While there is no comparison to a true voice actor, I cannot afford to pay for a fully narrated audiobook, and I found the terms and price points of the Virtual Voice fair and the price policies transparent. Ultimately, I decided in the name of accessibility that this was an endeavor worth pursuing, as the ebook and audiobook are about the same price. So, my first novel, The Aether Awakens, is now available as an audiobook, narrated by a virtual voice, and I’m pretty excited about that because now more individuals can enjoy a story that maybe they couldn’t have before.
Alright, I know this was very long-winded, but I wanted to be clear and transparent about my thoughts. I don’t think it’s right to ever view the world as just black and white—there is a place for AI that doesn’t come at the cost of artists. There will always be a demand for human-made everything. Like with ceramics, you can enjoy both mass-produced ceramic plates and a slightly warped hand-made mug. With AI, I truly believe the problem doesn’t lie in the technology but rather in how the technology is being used in a capitalistic society aka how it is being disclosed and profited off of. I’m always happy to have a good, respectful discussion, so feel free to reply with your thoughts!
<3 C.G.
