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WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT AI…

Dear Readers,

Over the last several weeks, I’ve had more than a few people ask me whether or not I believe AI deserves a place in the literary community. Admittedly, I didn’t really know how to respond to this at first; partially because I didn’t feel knowledgeable enough to have an opinion on the matter, but also because I knew it was a hot-topic issue and I didn’t want to get drug into the middle of what feels like a mini culture war. As far as I was concerned, it seemed like almost every self-published author was using AI in one way or another - from promotional materials, marketing analytics, or even just as an editorial tool. Hell, even I used AI in some of my early artwork and marketing strategies.

However, the more I looked into the matter, the more I realized that the stance I thought was harmlessly neutral was actually nothing short of criminally complicit. And believe me, I mean that quite literally…

Now, I’m not going to sit here and lecture anyone about how AI copies the work of real life artists and passes it off as something “unique”. You’re all smart enough to do your own research and draw your own conclusions. What I will talk about however, is that after doing my own digging, this is what I came up with:

1. Though not inherently malicious, AI is being taught about the complexities of art via a multitude of sources, some of which are being uploaded without the consent or knowledge of the original artist.

2. The ease of use that AI offers can allow literally anyone to generate a piece of art with little to no effort, as well as the freedom to pass that art off as their own unique design/concept.

3. Given the exponential increase in AI’s learning algorithm coupled with the lack of oversight by governing bodies, it is becoming nearly impossible to tell what is real and what is AI generated.

4. Lastly, and what I feel is most worrying of all, is that by using AI and agreeing to their various terms of service (most of which, people don’t actually take the time to read through) many unsuspecting artists are unwittingly signing away their intellectual property for little to no return.

All that said, please consider this my official stance on the matter…

“Though I understand how invaluable of a tool AI is when used responsibly, especially when it comes to marketing and analytics, I simply cannot condone its use in any form of artistic expression.”

Between the stolen materials, the lack of governance, and the plethora of AI generated slop that’s circulating online, I firmly believe that AI isn’t merely just a stain on the artistic community - it’s a cancer. And like most cancers, the remedy is going to be a long and arduous process.

But then again, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.

Hear me out. Imagine, if you will, a world where authors stay up into the dead of night, writing their books on clackety old typewriters and editing them with a ballpoint pen. Where artists revive the lost traditions of sculpting, chiseling out marble figures that can stand for centuries to come, outliving civilization itself. Where musicians hone their skills in the streets, filling the air with a constant stream of vibrant melodies while local poets jot down their ideas in the park.

In a way, I feel like AI isn’t going to be the death of artistic expression, but instead, the new barrier to entry. A giant sift that any true artist must pass through in order to fully explore their creative passion. A crutch that only those truly devoted to their craft will be willing to give up.

As for me, you have my word that I will never allow AI generated material to influence the stories I write, the books I sell, or even the people I reach. As far as I’m concerned, I founded AnabolicAuthor with the intention of writing stories that inspired strength - “Damn Good Books,” as some of you might remember. And if that means never living up to my dreams of being a Great Author, then so be it. At the end of the day, at least I can say I had no problem making it over the great AI barrier.

Till we meet again, dear reader.

Your friend,

Jenkins

Narrated by the young and talented Robin Griffith, AnabolicAuthor’s debut novel, Among the Spires of East Fleet, is finally available in audiobook format! And as a special 'thank you’ to our readers, for a limited time, all new Audible members can download our audiobook completely FREE, as well as receive their first month’s Audible subscription on us!

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