I do not use AI to generate creative work of any kind for the clients I serve, and I never will.

I don't tell AI to write my emails or proposals for me; I don't tell it to draw my sketches for me, and I didn't ask it for advice on how to make this message more appealing. I am not interested in doing business that way. I accept that by not embracing AI in these dark times, I may very well lose what work remains to those who do. I already have. So be it. This is the hill I have chosen to die on, but at least there's flowers and a soft breeze up here.

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AI "art" can only ever be generated by unapologetic theft; by exploiting and disfiguring the original creative work of my fellow non-consenting actual human artists. The result is - you guessed it - AI slop; predictable art with a telltale air of phoniness - free of soul, free of morals, free of charge. It's not a good look, and you may have noticed we are already inundated with it. I believe what an organization saves by not hiring an artist, it forfeits in integrity. But that's just me, and I've got an axe to grind, after all.

As a real life human who makes art to pay the bills and buy food - I cannot in good conscience use and support this insidious process that actively seeks to undermine and devalue my own skilled craft that I have dutifully studied and practiced for over 20 years. I will not embrace a technology that is constantly training itself by the fruits of my labour so that it may destroy my livelihood. Not to mention the deeply troubling ramifications of the staggering supply of clean drinking water required just to power the whole parlour trick. I choose not to participate, but despite that, it will likely scrape the work I produce to fuel it without my say anyway.

I will make unique, original, inspired, classic art of my own design for the rest of my life. I will make a living for myself from it for as long as I can. It will always be flawed and it will always take more time. I'm a human after all. But there is absolutely nothing unique, original, inspired or classic about AI art - so I have no use for it.

To my existing clients who still choose to hire someone to do things 'the old fashioned way,' thank you. ​​To my potential clients - even if you don't hire me - please hire a human who creates with their own mind, with their own hands, and with their own heart.​​

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- Sean Skerry