Is AI Bad for artists? Thoughts On This AI Art Controversy
AI Is Here—Now What?
If you’ve spent any time online lately, you’ve probably seen it: AI-generated art showing up in social feeds, galleries, even contests. It’s wild, fast-moving, and yes—sometimes overwhelming. But here’s the truth:
AI is not going away.
And honestly? That’s not entirely a bad thing.
A New Medium, Not a Replacement
As a traditional artist, I’ve felt the tension. It’s easy to wonder: What does this mean for people like me—people who paint, who draw, who work with our hands and hearts?
But here’s where I’ve landed: AI isn’t the enemy. It’s a new medium, just like photography or digital design once were. And like any tool, its impact depends on how we choose to engage with it.
What We Can Learn From AI (and What It Can’t Do)
I’ve experimented with AI tools, both in my art practice and my business. Sometimes it speeds things up. Sometimes it sparks ideas I wouldn’t have thought of. But at the end of the day, AI can’t feel, and it can’t express lived experience.
That’s where human artists still lead—especially artists creating work with depth, identity, and emotion.
The Real Opportunity: Let’s Get Curious
Rather than resisting or fearing AI, I think we’re better served by asking:
How can AI help me as an artist?
What can I do that AI never could?
Where can I use AI to support, not replace, my creativity?
As feminist artists, we’re already used to questioning systems and carving our own path. This is just another moment where we get to do that.
What I'm Exploring Right Now
Using AI to help brainstorm titles and color palettes
Creating moodboards faster for commissions
Learning how to protect my work with proper metadata and watermarking
Collaborating with AI tools to spark new styles (without giving up my voice)
Final Thought: You're Still the Artist
This moment isn’t about competition—it’s about conscious creativity. Feminist artists have always adapted. What matters is that we stay intentional, informed, and inspired.
AI can’t replace your story. It can’t replicate your intuition. So let it be a tool, not a threat.
