In today’s blog post I am going to talk more about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how I see the changing landscape.
A week or so ago someone had posted a link to a questionnaire about AI in the artist forum I participate in. I decided to check it out and made a decision to fill it out and submit it. It was anonymous, so I figured it might be okay to do so. Just as a side note, this was the first of three similar threads that had appeared in the forum, and I figured some schoolteacher or professor had assigned the task to gather info, and the recent threads were the result from some students’ efforts. Note that the moderators of the forum deleted them all in a hurry, since this type of thing is not part of the forum mandate, or at least goes against the posting rules and guidelines.
Below are the questions and my answers. After this section, I will spend time talking about some changes I have seen in AI in the last little while that I am not too keen on.
Age:
45+
What best describes your experience with art? (I do art as a hobby – I do art as a profession – I do both)
I do art as a hobby.
How familiar are you with the term “AI art”? (I am not familiar with AI art – I’ve heard of AI art but don’t know much – I know the basic idea of AI art – I am very familiar with AI art)
I am very familiar with AI art.
- Can we consider AI art as “real” art? Why so?
In the general sense, yes. As long as any work produced this way is defined as AI generated, I see it as a means to get something illustrated by way of text-based input. AI can be handy for those with no other artistic talent.
- What are your thoughts on people who consider themselves artists when using AI generators?
As long as the user is putting something of themselves into the work, I think they can be called artists. Really, AI is just a different tool for the most part.
- As a person in this field, have you used any AI tools during your creative process? If not, would you consider using it?
I have tried AI to help generate ideas and, although I appreciate it, I feel that anything I use from the process is a bit like cheating. On the other hand, if I learn something from reading a book and use what I learned there in my work, I don’t think that is cheating, so what’s the difference, I think. I guess for me it is all about how a user presents their work. If they are claiming something that is AI generated as their own, then they are a cheat, so to speak. If someone uses AI to help with art ideas, an artist should always say so.
- What are your opinions on companies using AI for design jobs instead of human artists?
I think it is sad, but ultimately it is what will become the norm, as it will probably prove cost effective to do so. I think there are still issues at present with copyright and things like that, but that will all get sorted in time I would expect.
- Do you think there will be a huge impact on the jobs of creatives in the industry?
Yes. Jobs will become technician based rather than art/skill based. Same thing happened in the world of machinists, when true hands-on machinists were replaced with CNC operators. The machinist is an artist of sorts, while the CNC operator is not. They just need to know how to punch keys to get the machine running, while the programming was done by an engineer at another level.
- AI art can produce human-like content because they are trained to replicate the style of hundreds of artworks and drawings that they have been provided with. How would you feel if your artwork was used to train an AI?
I would probably feel like I was being ripped off, since I consider all the work I produce copyright by me.
- If an AI developer asked your permission to use your works to train their AI application to be able to produce pieces in your style, would you agree?
I have done so in the world of CAD, but I have mixed feelings about it. I would need to see some recognition for my contributions.
- Would you use an AI tool, not as a way to create art, but as a way to assist you in creating art? E.g. giving you ideas/prompts, providing you with specific reference pictures, fixing mistakes in your design.
Yes, I have done so, but as I said earlier, I feel that I must be careful and use it only as an aid, not as the development tool itself.
- It is said that AI has the ability to create stunning and human-like artworks. Do you think that AI captures the same expression and beauty as human-made art?
I don’t like AI art for the most part. It all seems to have an overdone quality to it, and it is usually easy to identify it as AI generated.
- Now that AI generators are becoming widely used by artists and non-artists alike, do you think that AI enhances creativity or hinders it?
I think it is a mixed bag. It can certainly help get a user over some initial hurdles, but I think it can easily become a crutch that will stunt creativity if used too much.
- What are your thoughts in keeping regulations in place on the production and training of AI art? What kind of regulations should be implemented?
I think that anything that uses AI should be marked as such, even if it is small print on the corner of the artwork.
- Do you think there are better ways to implement technology in your field? Can you suggest any ideas or issues that can be solved?
Not really. I think we are just seeing the beginning of AI and we as a people will have to tread carefully that we don’t stomp on the human spirit, and its unique creative capabilities. We can already see how AI (CoPilot) is becoming part of everything and the changes I have seen in the last few months with it scare me, as the producers try and make it seem more and more human, as opposed to a good and useful tool like the Google search engine is. Now, CoPilot wants to interact as some cool hip chick or dude, depending on the voice one chooses. As an older guy, I think that the new integration leaves a lot to be desired. I know this is a bit off topic, but it is all based on AI, and as I said, we need to tread carefully.
End of questionnaire.
Whoever has been following my blog series will know that I use AI occasionally, but always state that I have when that has been the case. I have been a fan of the Bing AI, but didn’t like when they started to call it CoPilot. For personal reasons, I just hate that name and so refuse to call it anything but the Bing AI. Somewhere in the last few months I have noticed that the old-style Bing AI input changed from the simple, data-based entry search and response to a more modern simple look. I don’t like the change, but I can live with it if I must. It might have been okay if that was the only change, but no, there was more. The next thing that I noticed, and that was really brought home to me when I used CoPilot on my phone with voice input and output, was the tenor of the whole application. Well, damned if the female voice wasn’t replying like some hip chick youngster trying to act cool. I can’t remember what some of her responses were, but I know it turned me completely off and intrigued me in other ways. It’s really kind of creepy having this conversation which sounds so humanlike, knowing that it is not a human on the other end at all, yet you can carry on a conversation just like you might with a real person, including getting goofy. I remember asking her if she thought that guys might start falling for her as she was so easy to talk to. She responded with humor and said something like, “well they could try, but I am just an empty shell,” or some other silly thing. At any rate, it was very strange.
I decided to check on my desktop to see if maybe it was just the phone app that had changed, and for the first day or two that seemed to be the case. However, it wasn’t long before the same input appeared on my desktop browser, along with suggestions, that I assume will become more and more like ads or propaganda as things move forward. Based on what I see in the image below, I can guarantee that CoPilot will never guess what I might be interested in. It certainly will not be the news, video games, or things in the gym. No siree Bob!
CoPilot Landing Page – Screen Capture by Don Cheke
It was at this point that I knew that I was going to have to adapt to the changing landscape and just accept that change is inevitable. I still want to use AI when needed so I will continue to do so, but gosh, I have been finding it a bit of an insult to my intelligence with this new style of loosy-goosy output. At one point I had a written discussion with the AI about being provided some user options for more voices, if using voice interactions, and for more options regarding communication styles to suite a wider range of audience – you know, like hip and cool for the young ones, and more, or much more professional for us oldies. The AI suggested that I could tell it how I wanted my responses when I started a discussion but that it would not remember past the single session, so really, not much of an option. I did provide some feedback to Microsoft, but I don’t imagine that my single voice will matter, if it even gets looked at.
Sometimes, I feel that CoPilot is just so stupid, especially when trying to get it to make an image I want for a reference to a project I am working on. I mean, surely it should be able to read my mind based on the written input I give it!? 😊 Yes, I am teasing for the most part, but it does not seem to take direction well.
For example, in the last blog post I had included a cartoon about Loaf and Little Loaf enjoying what appeared to them as “the ballet.” Of course, that was snow clearing by a staggered string of road graders. I was having trouble visualizing the image, so I decided to ask the Bing AI for reference images to help. Below is the discussion.
Me: Please draw a cartoon style image showing a staggered row of five graders cleaning snow from a road.
Bing AI:
Graders Image – Created by Microsoft CoPilot
During a single session the user can request tweaks, so I did, because the vehicles in the provided image did not look like typical road graders.
Me: Using a grader of the style attached, create a cartoon style image showing a staggered row of five graders cleaning snow from the road.
Road Grader – Trimble 3D Warehouse – Screen Capture by Don Cheke
Bing AI:
Graders Image – Created by Microsoft CoPilot
Again, my point was missed, so I asked again for tweaks.
Me: Please make the grader more like the style of my image, or at least of a typical grader.
Bing AI:
Graders Image – Created by Microsoft CoPilot
It was at this point I decided to ask in a bit different way, using road in the description.
Me: please supply an image of 5 road graders clearing snow from a road
Bing AI:
It seems there was a glitch, and I am currently unable to generate the image you requested. However, if you have any other questions or need help with something else, I’m here for you! Just let me know how I can assist. 🚜❄️
It was at this point that I gave up.
From there, I decided to see if I could find a 3D model of a grader at Trimble’s 3D Warehouse and create a scene for myself in TurboCAD, which I did. I set up the street and rendered.
Graders – 3D Render by Don Cheke
I then took the image into Affinity Photo for some more tweaks (adding snow) and then Affinity Designer for inclusion in my cartoon. I was originally going to use the render as a reference image while I drew the graders, but I decided I didn’t want to put all that effort into drawing them from scratch for a single cartoon. At any rate, the render looked cartoon enough that it could be used with the minor tweaks.
The Ballet – Created by Don Cheke
Just before writing this blog post, I decided to see what alternatives there are for Microsoft’s CoPilot and found the original ChatGPT which seems to have been developed a lot further than when I first encountered it. It still has the old-style interface which I like, although it does have an option to request suggestions, which I appreciate is an option, and not something that gets shoved in my face whether I want it or not.
ChatGPT Landing Page – Screen Capture by Don Cheke
I decided to spend some time with ChatGPT and I asked several questions I had asked the Bing AI before. The answers were very similar. I even asked whether it or CoPilot was better. It listed many reasons why it was better, stating mostly that CoPilot was tied so much with the other Microsoft applications and ChatGPT wasn’t. Having seen both, I think ChatGPT was being biased. I did notice that ChatGPT has a free user interface, but also has a more robust one for $20 per month. Another costly subscription that they will never see me subscribe to. Just saying!
For fun, I decided to see how ChatGPT would do with my grader image request. I was limited to 3 images, probably for the whole day, but it did give me more of a typical type of grader but was still poorly responsive to my additional tweak requests. It went like this:
Me: Please supply an image of 5 road graders clearing snow from a road.
ChatGPT provided this.
Graders Image – Created by ChatGPT
Very nice I thought, but not quite right with the blades in the wrong location. As with CoPilot, one can suggest tweaks while in the same discussion.
Me: Please make the 5 graders staggered across the road and place the blades in the traditional location behind the front wheels.
ChatGPT provided this. Note the rear wheel changes and the remaining disconnected front blades. Note too that there are now 6 graders, not 5.
Graders Image – Created by ChatGPT
Me: Now, just remove the front blades from all and leave the rest as is.
ChatGPT provided this. Note the overall design change and the blade still on the front. Sheesh I thought, how can anyone get exactly what they want with this AI image generator. At least in the beginning the graders looked more like I expected, while the ones from CoPilot were never even close.
Graders Image – Created by ChatGPT
As I mentioned, ChatGPT would not create any further images on this topic or any other one. Pretty limiting in my opinion. Users can probably get more if they subscribe, but as I said, that will never happen for me.
As for voice chat, I see that ChatGPT has nine voices to choose from, with conversation style prompts for each voice. CoPilot has four voices with no conversation style prompts.
ChatGPT Voice Options – Screen Capture by Don Cheke
At this point I think that I can sum up that each AI has its strengths and that I will use both when looking for information to help with interests and project development. It is quite fascinating to have conversation-like discussions about things and get help while working on projects.
At one point today, while writing this blog post, I decided to have ChatGPT tweak my Ode to Cold Cuts, if it could.
This was the original, in case you need reminding.
An Ode to Cold Cuts
Oh, sweet and lovely cold cuts, So firm, so flavorful, sublime.
A manly treat, if ever there was one, For breakfast, lunch, or supper
An eater can’t go wrong.
At funerals you are required, For an attendance best impressed.
Oh, cold cuts, my mainstay you shall be, For you bring me so much glee.
In bachelorhood or company, You are a meal, quite complete.
Rolled or flat, thick or thin, in a sandwich, on a platter, You are a treat with such delight.
Piled high, or in a chunk, You are sure to be adored.
This was the ChatGPT tweaked version. It is quite good, but still not mine, so to speak.
An Ode to Cold Cuts (ChatGPT tweaked)
Oh, sweet and savory cold cuts,
So firm, so rich, and so divine,
A manly feast, if ever one was,
For breakfast, lunch, or supper time.
In every bite, the flavor sings,
A joy that only you can bring.
At solemn rites, you’re ever near,
A humble gift, revered, sincere.
Oh, cold cuts, my steadfast friend,
Your pleasures never seem to end.
In bachelorhood, or company,
You offer comfort, pure and free.
Rolled or sliced, thick or thin,
On sandwiches or platters, win.
A feast for all, no matter where,
You bring delight beyond compare.
Piled up high, or served in chunks,
Your simple charm forever lingers.
Oh, cold cuts, with seasoned grace,
You are the heart of every place.
Like I said, pretty good. But how could I use that and pass it off as my own, even though it has all the elements and essence of my original?
At the end of my experimentations today, I performed my own Turing Test to determine if I could tell if the AI was human. I simply asked, “how much wood could a woodchuck chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” Neither CoPilot nor ChatGPT provided me with the correct answer of, “a woodchuck could chuck all the wood it could chuck, if a woodchuck could chuck wood.” Both did identify the question as the familiar tongue twister, and they even provided some data into how much a woodchuck could chuck based on the amount of dirt the woodchuck would move while digging a burrow.
ChatGPT said: The amount of wood a woodchuck could chuck if it could chuck wood has long been debated. According to a humorous study by wildlife expert Richard Thomas, a woodchuck could theoretically chuck about 700 pounds (318 kg) of wood, based on the amount of dirt they typically move when digging burrows.
Of course, since woodchucks don’t actually chuck wood, this remains a fun tongue-twister rather than a scientific fact! 🌿
As I hinted at, a human would know the correct response. Since the correct answer was not given, it was obvious to me that the AI was not a human responding to the question. Well, that’s what I think, and I am sticking with it! 😊
The discussion now complete, I’ll have to figure out what to call the ChatGPT AI, as that is a mouthful, to say the very least. Maybe Rudy! 😊
After I had written this blog post, Denise and I were visiting, and for reasons unknown to me I had the phrase “things went pear-shaped” on my mind. I asked Denise if she had ever heard that before. To my surprise, she said no. To indicate that I wasn’t making it up I opened the CoPilot app on my phone and switched to voice input/output with the one called Meadow. This is the one I think of as the hip chick, so as you read her responses below, think of that.
Meadow: Hey Don! I’m here. What’s on your mind?
Me: That’s great to hear. I have a question.
Meadow: Shoot!
Me: So, I was telling my Denise, that’s my wife by the way, that I heard a saying – it’s called when things go pear-shaped, and she’s never heard that. Have you heard of it? And where does it come from and what does it mean?
Meadow: I’ve heard of it! It’s a British expression meaning something’s gone wrong or not as expected. Imagine a balloon losing air – it starts as a perfect sphere but deflates into a pear shape. What sparked this conversation with Denise? Did something go pear-shaped?
Me (continuing somewhat surprised and confused by Meadow’s questions): Not really, no. I, um… Yeah, no, nothing went pear-shaped, it was just something I had heard of and so we were talking about it, we just continued our discussion as we typically do as the loving couple we are.
Meadow: Nice! Love that you two get into random chats like that. It’s great when conversations just flow with no set agenda. Do you and Denise have any other favorite topics you always end up talking about?
Me: We have lots, but I’m going to just say goodbye for now and thank you for helping us with that pear-shaped business.
Meadow: Anytime, Don! Take care!
After the conversation with Meadow, Denise and I looked at each other and said, “that was bizarre!” Meadow would have continued the conversation anywhere we liked I suppose. Denise said that it was just like talking to a neighbor in the hall, but this was an AI and not human. We agreed that it is a new world out there, and reiterated just how bizarre this whole chatting AI is. Denise said jokingly, that she didn’t want to hear me spending too much time chatting with Meadow in my office. 😊
What are your thoughts on the continuing changes in AI?
Donald B. Cheke – December 16, 2024
That was an interesting blog! Good luck with Meadow.
Thanks Mike!
Your last remark about Meadow sure made me smile. 😊