Albert, this is not meant as a rebuke, but I really don’t care for AI illustrations and I wonder how you feel it fits into the themes you so commonly write about: energy, climate change, and the like.
It's a matter of taste, to some extent, Paul. While I am capable of drawing these in long form traditional ink and brush, I am enjoying learning how to use the A.I. software. Doing these parodies, and composing prompts, is a process of new skill-building for me. I have already turned the medium towards instructional pamphlets in multiple languages about climate strategies such as bamboo and biochar. I would be happy to share those with you. These comics are geared towards a younger audience, and I have many additional subjects planned, whether or not they appear here.
My question was more specifically about the environmental impact of AI. I mean, I don’t ascribe to the sort of bad-faith appeals one so often sees: “if you care so much about the environment, why do you (drive/fly/etc)?”
But… AI is really driving an astronomical increase in energy hogging data centers. Aside from the fact that it is trained on human art without compensating or even crediting the creators—which is particularly galling to me—I just wonder if using AI doesn’t undercut the message you’re trying to convey.
I am glad you’re enjoying the creative boost and I don’t want to seem like a scold. But I think this matters.
I don't disagree. AI's vast demand for energy is driving the new push for nuclear power, an unmitigated evil. There are many other negatives, some existential. I also don't imagine that boycotts by artists are likely to arrest the trend. I am not extolling AI, but neither am I avoiding it. The same ethical dilemma occurs when I use it to write grants, search the web, or compile scientific references. Why should one side have this tool and the other side unilaterally disarm? It is a dilemma.
I have been asked to develop educational materials for schoolchildren in multiple languages, telling them about biochar, climate, and regenerative design. This tool allows me to take that to a new level very rapidly. I plan to do that. Maybe it is temporary. It may come crashing down for various reasons, but for now, it is a useful addition to the tool kit.
Albert, this is not meant as a rebuke, but I really don’t care for AI illustrations and I wonder how you feel it fits into the themes you so commonly write about: energy, climate change, and the like.
It's a matter of taste, to some extent, Paul. While I am capable of drawing these in long form traditional ink and brush, I am enjoying learning how to use the A.I. software. Doing these parodies, and composing prompts, is a process of new skill-building for me. I have already turned the medium towards instructional pamphlets in multiple languages about climate strategies such as bamboo and biochar. I would be happy to share those with you. These comics are geared towards a younger audience, and I have many additional subjects planned, whether or not they appear here.
My question was more specifically about the environmental impact of AI. I mean, I don’t ascribe to the sort of bad-faith appeals one so often sees: “if you care so much about the environment, why do you (drive/fly/etc)?”
But… AI is really driving an astronomical increase in energy hogging data centers. Aside from the fact that it is trained on human art without compensating or even crediting the creators—which is particularly galling to me—I just wonder if using AI doesn’t undercut the message you’re trying to convey.
I am glad you’re enjoying the creative boost and I don’t want to seem like a scold. But I think this matters.
https://open.substack.com/pub/kollibri/p/the-planet-cant-afford-ai
I don't disagree. AI's vast demand for energy is driving the new push for nuclear power, an unmitigated evil. There are many other negatives, some existential. I also don't imagine that boycotts by artists are likely to arrest the trend. I am not extolling AI, but neither am I avoiding it. The same ethical dilemma occurs when I use it to write grants, search the web, or compile scientific references. Why should one side have this tool and the other side unilaterally disarm? It is a dilemma.
I have been asked to develop educational materials for schoolchildren in multiple languages, telling them about biochar, climate, and regenerative design. This tool allows me to take that to a new level very rapidly. I plan to do that. Maybe it is temporary. It may come crashing down for various reasons, but for now, it is a useful addition to the tool kit.