There’s been a lot of discussion lately about the role of AI in art, specifically in the TTRPG community. Opinions are split, with many people appearing to be torn by their desire for independent authors to have access to reasonably attractive and unique assets and the issues surrounding potential copyright with the AI’s training source material. Artists are worried about losing potential clients and decreases in their commissioned work in the midst of growing inflation and cost of living and an impending recession. So what’s the verdict? Let’s take a closer look.
On one hand, you have people who argue that AI-generated art is just another tool that can be used to create attractive artwork and that copyright concerns are overblown. They point to the fact that many artists already use reference material, and that AI simply provides another source of inspiration. They also argue that it’s important to support independent authors who may not be able to afford commission fees. On the other hand, you have people who worry about potential legal trouble down the road, as well as the quality of AI-generated art. They argue that it’s not truly original work and that it takes away from the commission market. What are your thoughts?
It’s hard to say for sure which side is right. Copyright law is a complex beast, and it’s difficult to predict how courts would rule on a case like this if it ever came up. As for the quality of AI-generated art, it certainly has come a long way in recent years but it still has a long way to go before it can truly rival the work of human artists. In the end, at least for now, it’s up to each individual creator to decide whether or not they want to use AI-generated art, and whether or not they’re willing to take the risk.
The art featured in this post was generated by AI.