The developers of the popular iPad graphics and illustration app Procreate have refused to implement generative AI, expressing solidarity with artists concerned about the professional and ethical implications of the technology. Procreate CEO James Cuda denounced the “theft” and “futureless future” he believes generative AI brings in the arts.
Image Source: Procreate
The Procreate development team said: “Generative AI takes the humanity out of things. Built on the foundation of theft, this technology is leading us to a barren future. We see machine learning as a compelling technology with many merits, but the path that generative AI is taking is not the right path for us and for our field.”
The announcement prompted a wave of praise from the creative community, which is concerned about the rapid proliferation of generative AI tools. Artists’ main concerns are that AI models are being trained on their work without consent or compensation, and that widespread adoption of the technology could significantly reduce job opportunities for artists.
Overall, Procreate pits itself against other companies that many artists feel have failed to keep up with the influx of generative AI tools. For example, Clip Studio Paint, a competitor to Procreate, abandoned plans to introduce image generation functions after the decision received a barrage of criticism from users. Wacom (graphics tablet maker) and Wizards of the Coast (owner of Magic: The Gathering) also apologized for unintentionally using AI-generated images in their products following backlash from the community.
Even Adobe, which has tried to take a more “ethical” approach to building generative AI tools, has faced criticism. The company claimed that its Firefly models are trained on licensed or copyright-free content. However, many artists believe Adobe has turned its back on independent creators, including through its policy of unpopular changes in recent years, such as purchasing apps on a monthly rental basis.
Against this background, Procreate is in great demand among artists. The company is sticking with a $13 one-time purchase model instead of going subscription-based like Adobe and Clip Studio Paint have done. Procreate is also constantly expanding its list of tools, including those for desktop computers. The firm commitment not to implement generative AI has been a boon for artists who feel there are fewer and fewer alternatives.
«We don’t know exactly where this story will lead or how it will end, but we believe we are on the right path to supporting people’s creativity,” said James Cuda.