(This is the first article in a two-part series exploring some of the potential problems when using artificial intelligence in creative work. Part 2 will be posted next week.)
It seems as though there is a sudden boost in “writers,” “artists,” and “designers” out there. There are a lot of people taking up creative professions as side hustles or freelance careers. While some of these people are legitimate, there are more than a few who were never before in the creative arts, yet are suddenly marketing themselves as such. What’s the deal? The deal is that scammers and other unethical people are using artificial intelligence to do the work. Instead of going to art school or actually writing an entire book, they use AI to knock out a product in a matter of minutes, then sell it as “art.”
There are two sides to this problem: First, if you are purchasing a creative product, you have to be aware of what you’re buying and make sure you don’t get scammed. Second, if you’re a creative person seeking to shortcut your output by using AI, there are (more than) a few things you should be wary of. Let’s unpack the first problem today, and we’ll tackle the second problem next week.
The Problem for Consumers
The consumer-level problem came to my attention when a friend hired a cover designer for her latest book. The art came back suspiciously fast and she was never presented with updates or proofs, which seemed odd. Most artists will show you the art in progress so you have a chance to make changes or corrections. There’s a back and forth process until you get what you want.
Even though the art my friend received was mostly what she asked for, she took a closer look. Upon inspection, it was obviously the work of AI. (Often you can tell because AI models have issues rendering hands, eyes, and other items perfectly. This will get better as AI grows, and it will become more difficult to discern “real” art from AI. But at least for now, there are some “tells” in AI artwork.)
She paid several hundred dollars for original art and received something that was knocked out by artificial intelligence in a matter of minutes. In other words, had she wanted to go that route she could have used an AI engine herself and saved the money. The scammer charged top dollar for artwork, then sat back and let AI do the work. He made a lot of money with no effort, exactly what scammers love to do.
While the art was decent, it wasn’t the original art that my friend paid for, and she was reluctant to use it on her cover because of the potential legal issues down the road. If the AI’s output wasn’t properly licensed for commercial use, she could be in trouble later. (More about this when we talk about problem two next week.) She’s still trying to get her money back, but I suspect she will not.
This also happened to a friend who ordered art prints based on her characters to sell at her author booth. The prints came back and were, again, obviously AI. She’s also trying to get her money back. On a larger level, Amazon is suddenly flooded with AI-generated books, and some magazines and websites have had to shut down submissions because they’re drowning in AI junk. Freelance writers are using AI to crank out articles and marketing pieces instead of doing the work. Scammers hope no one notices that the work isn’t being done by a human.
How to Protect Yourself
If you’re seeking to buy a creative product or use a creative professional, how do you guard against paying top dollar for original human work that ends up being done by AI? You apply many of the same protective strategies you would when seeking any other service provider or product.
Read reviews
Reviews are no assure that a product or person is legit. Review spamming and fake reviews are problematic. However, reviews are a good place to start to get a sense of who or what you’re dealing with. An artist with no reviews or feedback may be a risk. They may simply be new, but they may also be a scammer who just started up a business to make a quick buck with AI-generated products. Others who have used the service or product may chime in with quality concerns, or suspicions that something isn’t right. If you read enough reviews, you’ll eventually get a sense of the truth.
Get referrals from people you know
This is always the best way to find any kind of provider or product. You’re bound to know someone who has sought a similar service or product, so ask around. If an artist did great work for your friend, take that into consideration. Don’t just blindly use people who pop up on Facebook, Fiverr, or Reddit offering services. They may be great, but if you can’t verify them any other way, be suspicious.
Ask to see prior work, and talk to former clients
Take a look at projects the artist or writer did for others. Is the art original, or can you see evidence of AI involvement? Do written projects make sense, or do you feel appreciate a bot wrote it? You may not always be able to tell AI work from original work, but if your gut is tingling, listen to that feeling and proceed on.
You can also ask to speak with current or former clients. If the provider shows you some work you appreciate, ask to speak to the client and ask about their go through. Most reputable creatives won’t have a problem with this, and will usually ask their clients ahead of time if they mind being contacted for referrals. While it’s possible to fake this sort of relationship, most scammers probably won’t bother.
Know the going rates and be suspicious of lowball offers
Most artists, writers, and other creatives have rates that fall along a similar scale based on the scope of work and the area they’re in. Get a sense of the rates for your area and the type of work you’re seeking. Ask others what they’ve paid, and ask several creatives what they charge. If someone comes along with a suspiciously low offer, be suspicious. They may be using AI to create quick money.
Also, if you’re shopping for books or artwork on sites appreciate Amazon or Etsy, beware of products by name-brand authors or artists being offered for pennies. Some scammers are using actual names and using AI to write books or create art under that person’s name. If an author’s books usually sell for $20, or an artist’s prints sell for $30, beware of the products selling for $1. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Don’t pay upfront
If you’re contracting a creative project, don’t pay everything at once. Work out a payment arrange where you pay some when the work begins, some more when you see proofs or rough drafts, and the final installment when you’re satisfied with the end product. Someone scamming you with AI products won’t have the intermediate work to show you, which is a red flag.
Put an Anti-AI Clause Into Any Contract or Scope of Work (And use a contract)
If you want the work to be done by an actual human, make that clear in any contract or scope of work. Make the contractor warranty that they are doing original work and not farming it out to artificial intelligence. Or, if they do use AI, have them detail such use explicitly in the contract. It may not stop an unethical person from using AI, but it at least gives you some protection if trouble emerges later.
Some creatives will use artificial intelligence to supplement their own original work with no intention to scam. They are using AI as just one tool in their overall workflow to help with idea generation, or as a way to create quick drafts to help narrow your focus and likes/dislikes. There may be no problem with this, but you may want your artist, designer, or writer to disclose when and how they use AI. If you feel appreciate they rely on it more than you would prefer, be sure to refer that, or find another creative professional.
And no matter how silly you think it may be, use a contract when sourcing creative work. A true pro won’t balk at a fair contract. Don’t just take someone’s word for it that they aren’t using AI, or that they’ll deliver by a certain date. Always put everything you need into a contract, even if you have no AI concerns. It’s the only way to protect yourself.
Read More:
- How to Utilize Artificial Intelligence to Make Money
- How Artificial Intelligence Is Reshaping The Job Market
- Will ChatGPT Take Over Freelance Writing Jobs?
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