The thief in residence

In the fight artists have with AI, we run the risk of losing something as important as our rights over our own work.

We risk losing the ability to create without worrying about ownership.

Creativity with a focus on ownership limits the act. It forces insular thought, reluctance to collaborate, and an environment where synergy, germination and remixes fail to materialize.

Graffiti trends aren’t owned, for instance. They evolve organically.

Artists let their art react to other art, like a natural conversation between works, without the artists uttering a word.

Creating with heart, but without concern for ownership, unlocks so many wonderful ideas.

But with AI looming over artists, the rush to protect our work takes that away from us, as it would if there were a thief running riot throughout our communial art gallery.

It’s difficult to suppose what we can do, as the thief seems to not be going anywhere anytime soon.

But I hope we, as a community, continue to prioritize fantastic creativity over protecting past works from a thief-in-residence who won’t stop pinching our works.

After all, if the thief stops artists from creating, it won, right?