WE WILL EVER WIN? WIN? WIN?

WRITTEN BY JESSICA WELLS ILLUSTRATED BY ABIHAIL ORTEGA

As far back in my memory as I’m able to visit, I remember times when I wanted to be an artist. I didn’t know how to or in what capacity; I just knew I was building up into the life of a creative. So, I played around with every form of art I could get my hands on to stretch my imagination to its fullest extent.

Even though I couldn’t hold a tune or memorize a two-step, I wanted to be like the stars I saw on Disney Channel. I wanted to sing, dance, and sit in those fancy chairs that would have my name on the back.

While I never had a talent for drawing, I liked painting. I’ve never understood lines, shapes, or the human form no matter how often I had it broken down into baby steps and explained to me. But that didn’t stop me from taking a couple of years of art in high school just to try it out. Failure was a part of the process, and in that failure, I figured out I liked painting. I wasn’t near the best or even talented. Instead, I found my place in encouraging classmates. That was all right; it made them special, and it inspired a stronger work ethic.

When I was old enough, I was able to try my hand at theater. Again, not my strong suit, but I found joy in trying and failing and in watching those around me succeed and find a place. I also found rapture in knowing there was something else out there.

I finally found my place in my Junior-year creative writing class, where I was able to develop my love for writing. While it was not as flashy as the others, it was something, and it was mine.

Maybe in another life, I could have been drawn to nursing or have a passion for studying the law. Maybe in that life, math and science could’ve been my crutch, and I could’ve pursued engineering. But in this life I find myself grasping at any art form, just in any way I can prove I exist and express my humanity. These forms of art prove we’re alive, and that showcases how artists can connect to everyone in a way that transcends the art they put forward. It proves we are human.

With the rise of modern technology, I feel as if we’re experiencing technological singularity, not fully aware of how this path will affect artists a few years from now. I remember my first alarming encounter with AI through “deep fakes” in 2017.

I remember it being a news story with people on Reddit making President Obama say what they wanted, and the world collectively seemed to think it was suspiciously scary, yet we moved on and turned a blind eye. I remember when ChatGpt came out hardly a year ago, and now operating as a fulltime writer and full-time threat. It’s even commonplace here on campus, still as an infant. In February this year, Snapchat released a MyAI feature, allowing users to make a “bitmoji” and text a computer like a friend. On Sept. 27, Meta AI unveiled “Billie,” an AI girl just like an older sister who can talk and text anytime, (blinking face in the corner of the screen at all times included) as a feature on Instagram. Not to mention that “Billie” has the rights to Kendall Jenner’s likeness in full, voice included. Oh, to hear Trisha Paytas sing “Despacito,” you’ll be in luck–it’s probably out there. Better yet, you can make it. but it’s not just “Billie,” there’s also “Bru,” with Tom Brady’s likeness, and “Dungeon Master,” with Snoop Dogg’s likeness. While these people are consenting and being paid millions as compensation, only the future will tell if the money is worth it.

While it all seems to be well and fun for now, it doesn’t seem like a battle we, as artists, will be winning. Traditional artists have been crying for help since the rise of text-to-image sites. The likelihood of artists being commissioned is decreasing, and the percentage of people conning as “artists” has been increasing. It’s already been seen with the long-running voice actress of Daphne in Scooby-Doo, Grey DeLisle, being charged $650 for an AI-generated print of her character, originally meant to be sold to fans after being autographed, but scrapped the image after being alerted that she was scammed. Even if that is the case, it’s just a small corner of the internet. Sure, AI art has yet to breach the mainstream? Of course, it has, as many have pointed out, the usage of AI in the Loki season two poster, but Disney has stayed silent on the matter. But that is to be expected of one of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers companies that were willing to explore AI before the strikes from WGA and SAG this year.

However, despite the people at the top being the ones paid off here, that’s not stopping the technology from being easily accessible to those not willing to cough up the proper payment.

The music industry is seeing a similar issue, with the Universal Music Group suing TikTok creators for creating a song with Drake and The Weekend’s voices, of course, without consent. If you find yourself scrolling through social media long enough, you could find AI-generated versions of album covers, either expanding on the previous cover or creating a whole new fake album. And while you’re at it, you can find an artist of your choice singing any of your favorite songs now. If you ever thought you wanted

But, of course, things are not that easy. While the writers got a fair deal, many of the actors are still in distress. While all their requests were met, there was one they had to meet in the middle regarding the usage of “digital doubles.” These allow for the studio to change the hair, makeup, and even as far as physical placement in a scene. If a background actor’s “digital double” is given a line or two and earns themself a speaking role, they will be fairly compensated, though they will have none of the experience and none of the reward for having been the one to have done the scene.

When it comes down to it, this usage of AI will be part of a race to be the first to discover the next bigger and better thing. It’s a chase for the immediate satisfaction of being able to say: “It was me; I did it.” As artists, but most importantly as humans, someone has to get hurt in the process. Someone’s worth needs to come into question as we ponder if it is all truly worth it. But who am I to talk? I bet the computer could tell you something more profound. Its feelings won’t be hurt by it, like mine. That’s what makes it better, right?

WRITTEN BY ISABELLA SIQUEIRA