AI: Good or Bad?

Is it goor or bad? It’s not are you using artificial intelligence (ai), but how you’re using it that has become the big issue this month. I was the first to be against artificial intelligence “AI” because I could see the dangers that it would cause. I was thinking more identity theft and the crimes that could be created from being online. With the implementation of AI we knew it would take a number of jobs in various parts of industry and while that’s happened it has also impeded in areas I didn’t see it happening such as the arts and music. We thought about manufacturing jobs or tech based jobs, but the arts have been depleting fast. Artificial Intelligence has made it easy to steal, cheat, and share without any consequence. Are you a thief? No! Do you dislike the arts? No! Do you want your fellow citizens to be out of work? No! So is artificial intelligence good or bad? That decision is up to you!

Why is this happening? Artificial Intelligence has been around for years, maybe even decades, we just didn’t know it was developing. A musician friend of mine said artificial intelligence has been around for years developing things like drum tracks, electronic beats, and other musical benefits using technology. I have another friend that bought a tool that when he sings into it makes him sound like the beach boys so it has been around for a long time. What’s happened with artificial intelligence is that is now easily accessible. It’s fun, it’s exciting, it makes us all look good on paper or profiles.

Just like social media we all look good online, but over time we begin to see the damage a one sided argument online can do. The same can be said for artificial intelligence. It’s fun we look good, but in the background it is decaying our jobs, our skills, and our creativity. Technology is moving faster than ever and the freedom of access is moving faster than the regulations that can govern them. Many sites that are developing this technology are also taking actions against it such as companies like Google. YouTube in 2026 is now demonetizing channels that are only offering ai content. What artificial intelligence is really doing is stealing from many creatives.

When you look at artificial intelligence and understand how it works you will see how it is stealing from creatives. Sure some jobs will be lost due to efficiency and redundancy. That is not new and has been going on for decades. Walk into any manufacturing plant and you will see machines doing what people used to do. That is smart business! What artificial intelligence does differently is that pulls information from different sources. That picture you downloaded is drawing from years of learning from different artists. When you use Chat GPT it is pulling from multiple web sources which are websites and information from people that have taken the time to write down their thoughts and findings. When you create an ai song it’s from artists that have spent countless years of learning to play music and perfecting their skills. It’s like stealing a piece of art and selling it while taking all the profits.

So what can you do? Hey I am not saying don’t use artificial intelligence, you’re probably already doing it. I use it so I know you do too. Use it the way that it is meant to do, to inspire! Inspire your creativity and to make your own creativity better. Don’t let it be your creativity. Remember that artificial intelligence is gathering information on the backs of people that have taken years to perfect their skills and create their craft. Don’t steal it at the press of a button. Don’t use artificial intelligence to pretend or do something you can’t do. Don’t steal from an artist because you don’t want to put in the work to learn it yourself. Artificial Intelligence is a great tool to enhance our lives, don’t let it take over our lives.

About the Author

Bruce Outridge is a creative entrepreneur based out of Burlington Ontario Canada. He is a professional cartoonist, podcast and television producer, and creative business owner. He is the President of Outridge Enterprises Inc for the last 20 years. You can learn more at www.bruceoutridge.com