Use of AI-Generated Images on HP

Hello everyone,

The Admins and myself have been looking at the use of AI-generated images on HP. After much discussion, deep-dives into websites debating the issue, reading the Terms of Service for AI-creating sites like MidJourney, reading Creative Commons Licensing pertaining to AI images, etc., we have decided that, going forward...

The use of AI-generate images will no longer be permitted on HP.

I recognize that, for some players, this will not be a popular decision, or rule addition, and for that I apologize. I know when originally asked last year about it, we allowed it, and a guideline was added to our Credit Help page for how to handle crediting AI aspects of graphics. However, with the increased use of AI-generated images on the site not just for one aspect, but for entire graphics, we've had to revisit the use of them on the site. As I stated above, we did not make this decision flippantly, but did the research into the creation and use of AI images in general, not specific to HP.

AI-generated images are created when the AI splices together a whole bunch of images from all over the internet to create the finished graphic...

- This means the images it uses are not all going to be stock. 

- It means that the original photographers and artists of all of those bits of image aren't going to be acknowledged, credited, compensated, etc.

- It means the original artists' and photographers' images will likely be used without their permission.

In short, it goes against our key values and rules on HP with regards to images/graphics used on our site. 

If you already have an image, layout, etc. currently in use on the site, it is grandfathered in and can remain. This rule specifically pertains to anything used on the site going forward, and includes anything currently in auctions.

If you have any questions regarding this, feel free to reach out!

Thank you,

Blitz & the admin team

-bump-

Makes sense, even though it is a cool tool to use -- especially when you have limited artistic talent, like myself. 

As an artist, I really appreciate this. Thank you so much. The AI art issue is complex at best and I wish it didn't come into being with so many unethical decisions made along the way.

I'm sure all the artists who take hours to make images will appreciate this. Good job admin team!

I agree, the technology is very cool what it can do based on commands, but it is also opening a whole pandora's box of issues when it's abused.

University students using it to write their papers for them. There's even a teacher who teaches one day a week at one of my schools who keeps telling me all about how she's been having ChatGPT create her lesson plans for her. 

Cool, but easily alarming, letting AI think and create for us :P

As someone who both uses AI and has a degree in Design (and works in an adjacent field) - I understand. Thank you for thoroughly explaining your rationale.

Appreciate this change! 

Very here for this. I have used AI to produce 'stock' elements of photomanipulations before and, whilst it is a nifty tool to play around with, banning its use isn't a limiting factor to the scope of those of us who have been creating photomanipulations since long before AI became popular.

I really do hope that considerably tighter rules around its functioning and use in general life are implemented soon, as it definitely strikes me very much as 'developing this tool because we can' rather than 'developing this tool because we should', whilst persistently turning a blind eye to the very real consequences that creative professionals especially (writers and artists in particular) are already facing with alarming regularity.

As a sidenote: if anyone is ever wanting to play around with learning to use photoshop etc to create their own photomanipulations, I'm always happy to help (though there are very definitely things that I still don't know!). I don't offer lessons directly as I'm a crap teacher, but I'm very happy to give advice with specific issues and problems etc. :)

I think this is a fine rule. AI art has been hurting artists across the world hard lately. I definitely respect this decision. I havent made a personalized photo in so many years but now that I have joined, I cant wait to make one again. But I'm going to only use my own photography, or true stock. Much respect!