The Devaluation of Human Expression

Rob Biddulph, an acclaimed children's book illustrator and author—famously known for his #DrawWithRob initiative during the pandemic—is voicing deep concerns over the sudden surge of AI-generated imagery in public spaces. From local cafes to retail shop windows, Biddulph observes a growing trend of posters created by artificial intelligence, a shift he finds genuinely disheartening.

«There's a sort of soullessness to them, and I find it sad that we appear to be increasingly happy to settle for that,» Biddulph remarks. For him, the essence of illustration lies in human personality—the quirks, imperfections, and unique humor that a person brings to their work, which AI systems inherently lack.


The Economic Impact on Freelancers

Beyond the aesthetic loss, there is a serious economic dimension to this trend. AI models are trained on vast datasets of human-made art without the consent or compensation of the original creators. This allows these systems to produce content that competes directly with the very professionals whose labor trained them.

Biddulph emphasizes that the creative industry is not solely comprised of wealthy elites, but is primarily built upon a vast foundation of freelancers, small studios, and independent artists. He notes: «For an established artist, the impact might be a reduction in commissions, but for somebody just starting out, it could mean that the opportunities to build a career simply aren't there in the first place.»


The Fight for Ethical Licensing

While some may feel that the rapid advancement of AI makes the situation look hopeless, Biddulph disagrees. He points to successful advocacy in the UK, where creative industries pushed back against government proposals that would have made it easier for AI companies to train on copyrighted material without permission.

Biddulph advocates for a transparent, ethical approach to AI development, emphasizing the need for an opt-in licensing system. He argues:

  • The responsibility should lie with companies to seek permission and pay for the use of creative works.
  • Artists should retain the choice of whether or not their work contributes to AI training models.
  • Human creativity holds intrinsic value that must be recognized and safeguarded by society.

Looking Toward the Future

While acknowledging that AI as a technology is likely here to stay, Biddulph insists that we are not obligated to accept the current business models surrounding it. Protecting the rights of creators is not just about financial survival; it is about deciding what kind of culture we want to uphold. «I don't think this is a fight that artists can afford to walk away from... It's about establishing what we value as a society, and whether we believe that human creativity has an intrinsic value that deserves to be protected. And I think that's a fight worth having,» concludes Biddulph.