The temptation to join the crowd and use AI (which are basically just Large Language Models with the intelligence of a hedgehog, if we’re being generous) can be fairly intense. A lot of “authors”, henceforth I will refer to them as “users”, are pumping out books, among other artforms, through varying use of LLM’s. The usage can range from simply tidying up the draft, right through to actually writing it for them. In this time of such “writing” coming out and flooding bookstores, music vendors and more, authors have started making a stand on this issue.

I did not think to consider a declaration on AI usage in NeoTokyo Dead, simply because I did not use LLM’s for any part of the writing or editing process. A few authors, some of them rather established names in fiction and their genres, have started to add such disclaimers to their books. This is a good start, and I will be doing the same in my future works.

It is also important that distribution vendors have clear policies on LLM use in the production of books. Whether that is labelling those works which have been generated completely or partially by LLM’s or some other policies. No doubt, some distribution platforms will follow some in the music scene by actually profiting from LLM material while shoving human artists out of the centre. Some may continue with excuses, as has one wll-known music platform, around their legal team still formulating a policy. Both are hard positions to justify when some distribution channels, both written and music, are banning any and all LLM use in the products they release and publish.

For this writer, AI/LLM’s will never play a part in the writing process, from research to writing, through to final editing. Part of the value in actually writing something is just that: writing it. With the struggles, the changes, the self-doubt, the second guessing, and a tonne more stress, it is in the crucible of the writing process where the author finds their true voice. Dare I risk hyperbole by saying it is in the midst of that very struggle the author becomes better at writing, as well as, possibly, a better human being. Short cuts have rarely delivered the same results, and this is why avoiding them is axiomatic. No serious philosopher or teacher of faith ever expounded the virtues of taking the easy road. Well, none who wished others to take them seriously, that is.

I started on the AI debate as totally against it. One big reason for that was accidentally buying music that was created by generative AI, but was unlabelled on Bandcamp, where the policies regarding AI usage are vague, at best. Some artists, like Fuzzy Circuits, are honest enough to clearly label what they sell as AI. Sadly, some of my brothers and sisters in Christ are lacking integrity in that area. Coming through that disappointment, I was furious. Calming down and thinking through certain aspects of it, I have arrived at a more nuanced view.

I still believe AI has no place in the artistic production process and I see it as more than “just a tool” when it is so used to produce written works, music or visual art. However, as a tool to aid in other processes, I have less of an issue. Let me elaborate with my own ethical limits. I only use AI in one area – making character images from which I write character descriptions. I do all the writing, but it helps me achieve some consistency to have a visual representation. It also helps me, at least on a superficial level, relate to the character more. However, that is the limit. Even the music you might hear in the clips I make is from royalty free sources, and not AI. My own voice is my voice, despite the fact I would love to sound like James Earle Jones. I do not use AI for covers or anything within the books and stories I write. Any mistakes are mine alone. AI does not get a look at what I write at all, even to fix stuff. Even on this blog, I will not ever use AI to pretty things up. I also do my own research (because I am sick enough to enjoy that sort of thing). For authors who use AI to help with research, I wonder why, but I am not judging people for that.

For people who use AI to create the artistic artefact itself, be it words, music, visuals or other, yes, I will judge them. I will not rail against them publicly, but in my heart, they are written off and tossed onto the trash heap of lazy people. It sounds harsh, and it is. But this is my honest opinion and it is me. I say it of others and I will say of me – my ability to chuck a prompt in something like MidJourney does not make me an artist. Using ChatGPT to write my chapters, likewise, does not make me an author. In both cases, I would just be a “user,” minus all the positivity Tron places on that term.

DISCLAIMER

I probably should have started with this, but here is my policy on AI usage in my writing.

1. TEXT: AI will NOT be used in any writing or editing. This includes possibly AI-based platforms like Grammarly, as well as any AI text generation tools.
2. COVERS: Any cover on my books will be wholly and solely sourced from human creators, either through royalty-free platforms, or through commissions to human artists.
3. MARKETTING: only AI-generated character images will be used. All other elements, such as images, music, and my own annoying voice will be sourced from humans.