Can designers afford to be publicly anti-AI? Creative community debates the career risks of taking a stance
By
Tom May
Pure flour-power. Hearty enough to carry you through lunch.
Summary
A freelance designer writes into an advice column worried that being publicly anti-AI could harm their career. The article explores the tension between taking an ethical stance against generative AI (due to concerns about ethics, environment, and societal impact) and the fear of losing clients or being seen as virtue-signaling. The creative community weighs in on whether designers should be vocal about their anti-AI position or keep quiet to protect their business.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledI'm a freelance designer, and I'm openly uncomfortable with generative AI. Not because I hate technology, but because of its ethical, environmental and societal impact in its current form.
I want to work with clients who value human creativity, empathy and care. But I'm worried that being public about my stance could look like virtue signalling.
Taking a stance on generative AI might feel good, but could it lose you clients? Here's what our community has to say about this divisive issue.
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