The developers behind the popular iPad drawing app Procreate recently shared a memo opposing the development of generative AI in graphic design software. They also vowed never to incorporate gen AI in any of their products.
The company mentions that it’s not against all sorts of AI, noting that machine learning, for example, has merit and can help artists be more creative and productive.
“We’re here for the humans. We’re not chasing a technology that is a moral threat to our greatest jewel: human creativity,” says Procreate on its website. “In this technological rush, this might make us an exception or seem at risk of being left behind. But we see this road less traveled as the more exciting and fruitful one for our community.”
The company’s decision to share a somewhat uncommon opinion on gen AI has received praise from many artists on Twitter and other social channels. While it’s clear that Procreate is riding a wave of negative sentiment on generative AI shared among its user base of creatives, the company's position means leaving some potential easy money on the table in exchange for longer-term credibility and reputation in the industry.
We’re here for the humans. We’re not chasing a technology that is a moral threat to our greatest jewel: human creativity.
Figma, the company developing the ubiquitous UI Design platform, stirred a major controversy in June after announcing a new gen AI feature trained on data collected from users’ files. On top of enraging its user base with an automatic opt-in to the service, Figma drew widespread criticism as the designs outputted by the AI feature looked like copies of well-known existing UIs.