A.I. and I

A.I. in and of itself is not inherently good or bad; it's just a tool. If used responsibly, it can be a decent aid and creative component. But like with any tool, it can also be misused and abused. It's a _very_ hot take, I know, but the use of A.I. in creative media isn't necessarily a bad thing. I definitely don't agree with it flooding the zone at the expense of human effort and creativity, I don't think A.I. content should make anyone a profit either, and using it to con and misinform is abhorrent. There are plenty of valid ethical dilemmas that I won't get into here. But what I _am_ saying is that A.I. can play its own part in creative endeavors, provided the creator in question is honest about its use and is putting in a significant effort beyond just typing a prompt. Aside from a handful of image experiments, music is the only place I use an A.I. generator. I've tried many times to create it myself, but all attempts ended in failure. Thus, aimusic.so became my go-to to make up for my inability to "get good". After a while of only prompting the songs, I grew frustrated with not being involved more in the creative process, so I finally gave myself the rule that I _had_ to be the lyricist from now on. So this is my compromise. The program still performs it, but I always intend to be transparent about using it and don't claim credit for what the machine does. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ (Lyrics) I write my lyrics To keep my reflection Hours of thought Of deep introspection Then I let the machine Hum with my heart Though I understand It won’t be wholly my art It’s very contentious to be sure “It’s theft, lazy, unclean, impure” Ethical dilemmas, it’s true, I fear But something about it still caught my ear A.I. music wasn’t my first choice But it sung my thoughts Gave them a voice Not perfect, I know It’s a tool of chance But it’s the best I can do Under the circumstance A.I. is not the problem It’s how it’s used Sometimes helpful and fun Sometimes abused I write my lyrics To keep my reflection Hours of thought Of deep introspection Then I let the machine Hum with my heart Though I understand It won’t be wholly my art Torn between two means Real and artificial Keep my integrity That’s not sacrificial It’s just another tool To help me express Make up for skills I can’t possess “Keep it real!” “Don’t give me that slop!” Well, I tried and tried But it all was a flop “Get good or get out!” “We don’t want a sleazy con!” As if that’s the only path it can tread on A.I. is not the problem It’s how it’s used Sometimes helpful and fun Sometimes abused I write my lyrics To keep my reflection Hours of thought Of deep introspection Then I let the machine Hum with my heart Though I understand It won’t be wholly my art Torn between two means Real and artificial Keep my integrity That’s not sacrificial It’s just another tool To help me express Make up for skills I can’t possess I’m not here to scam Just to make my art Even if it’s only in part But I’ll always make clear The tools on which I rely In this truce Of A.I. and I