Creatives > AI
Unique time
At Brightstone Books, it should go without saying that we value creatives. In a time where Hollywood and many major streaming use AI in the imagery of their shows and movies, it raises the question: where is the place of the creative, the artist? Similar to the art of creative writing, which now also has been under attack by AI, we think true talent can never be replaced. AI can never create, it can only recycle. As AJ Jordan said in a recent interview:
“I do not worry about AI taking my career as a writer in the least. I know it cannot begin to understand the depths of my novel and story. AI is fast food, I am providing gourmet dishes that nourish the mind, touch emotions, and expand the soul. So no, I am not worried about sugar cereal AI.”
The same can be applied to art. It is not hard to spot lazily manufactured AI art. A flat conglomerate of illogical strokes without creative vision. That said, most would agree that AI has its place and its uses. But it is NOT in creation but as a tool. To us that is where most are missing the mark, including these large streaming service companies and Hollywood studios. Creatives should never be replaced. Not just as a matter of ethics but because it is bad business.
Our Stance
It’s simple. We will never use AI instead of an artist on any artwork for the Mystic series. Yes, sure, out of respect, but primarily because it’s inferior. It’s not creative. Period. For the same reason AI will never be used in our written works for the Mystic Series nor has it. AJ Jordan wouldn’t stand for it.
Transparency
As far as using AI to convey some simple business ideas or brainstorming, or to help our artists connect with our writers and directors on a certain rough idea concept, yes. To us however, that is its limit of use—it’s a tool. You might have seen a few photorealistic AI images on our website that were touched up by a digital artist using Photoshop and other tools. They simply convey concepts to describe our business model to you. They are not going to be used in our actual creative projects. We have no plans of using AI images in our visuals for the Mystic Series including the Mystic websites. And honestly, it couldn’t create what we need anyway, since the artwork we require is so very specific. An artist is always required.
Irreplaceable
This is a charged topic for some, and we are living in unprecedented times. That is why we felt you deserved an unfiltered, straight-up explanation on our stance with AI, not some corporate cardboard jargon. The truth is AI is here and it’s not going anywhere. But guess what, neither are talented artists and writers. We at Brightstone Books stand proud in our commitment to making such talented artists and writers an irreplaceable part of our process.