Artists using this "Created with Human Intelligence" badge

Hey there. Let me tell you a story.

I came across Beth Spencer.

An Illustrator extraordinaire.

She lives in Germantown, somewhere in Tennessee, and she was minding her own business.

? Then BAM! ?

Inspiration strikes.

She draws this super cool badge.

It says "Created with Human Intelligence."

Pretty catchy.

She had no idea that she was starting a small revolution.

If you like this article, and you want to support me:

1. Share the article (or comment); that will really help my articles to reach more people ??
2. Or Connect with me on Linkedin ??
3. Subscribe to TechTonic Shifts to get your daily dose of tech ??

So, what's this "Draw this in your style" thing all about?

It's a challenge where artists take someone else's artwork and recreate it in their own unique style.

It's a way for artists to connect, collaborate, and inspire each other.

And Spencer's badge?

It turned out to be the perfect prompt for a new challenge: the "Draw This In Your Style Challenge".

And now, artists from all over the world are taking up the call.

They are all recreating her badge in their own way, or using it to mark their piece, as having been created by a hooman.

She wanted to make it because she believes there’s more value in art, writing, and music made by people. “Being human is hard”, she says. “There isn’t any software that has experienced the struggles and joy that fuel our art.”

This project was a way to encourage artists to create their own unique badges as a symbol that we as human creators aren’t going away anytime soon, Spencer says: “I wanted the art community to connect through making something together to communicate this shared belief”.?

It’s sounds like a great mission to me, but it is one that is not without some irony.

And that is because one of the most popular uses of AI generators is altering original images into a billion different styles. Spencer’s original art is a visual prompt for thousands of brains that—thanks to their different sensibilities, skills, and imperfections—reinterpret that reality and create their own vision.

When I look at Spencer’s prompt and the results, the first thing I think is that, rather than having Meta and other companies stamp a “Made with AI” badge to any suspicious image or video that is posted in social media, perhaps we all need to assume that everything is made with AI.

Don't get me wrong, AI is a fantastic tool for getting a little creativity going.

But the problem is that when we all rely on the same centralized system, like ChatGPT, or Midjourney for images, Suno for music, Luma for Video, etc. And by using it we risk falling into what's called an "algorithmic monoculture". That means that instead of having a diverse range of creative output, we're all being influenced by the same algorithm, thus creating copies.

A good example is the name of my newsletter: TechTonic Shifts.

I got it in '23 through a generative "creative" session with ChatGPT. I thought it was the bomb ! But as it turns out, GPT didn't reserve this creative idea for me alone.

[ For more on this topic, read a previous article: Lobotomized AI ]

We should start claiming the human stuff as our own.

Have everyone stamp their art, photos, and videos to clearly make the distinction that something is entirely made by a sentient being and not the armies of statistically predictive monkeys that are diffusion-art models.

And sure, some people may lie about it, but I like to think that most real artists are honest enough to use a “Created by Human Intelligence” badge responsibly. After all, honesty should always be a fundamental part of any art.

So, what do you say?

Are you ready to join the "Created with Human Intelligence" revolution?

Grab your pens, your paintbrushes, your cameras, your whatever-it-is-you-create-with.

Make something that's uniquely you.

Something that could only come from a brain that has lived, loved, and learned.

And then, slap that badge on it with pride.

Let the world know that you're not just another statistic.

You're a human.

And you've got something to say.

If you want to see more of Beth Spencer's work and the amazing creations inspired by her badge, check out her Instagram: [@bethspencercreative](https://www.instagram.com/bethspencercreative/)

I believe that, in a world that's increasingly driven by algorithms and artificial intelligence, it is more important than ever to celebrate the things that make us human.

The things that make us imperfect, but also beautiful.

The things that make us, well, us.

Well, that's a wrap for today. Tomorrow, I'll have a fresh episode of TechTonic Shifts for you. If you enjoy my writing and want to support my work, feel free to buy me a coffee ??

Think a friend would enjoy this too? Share the newsletter and let them join the conversation. LinkedIn appreciates your likes by making my articles available to more readers.

Signing off - Marco

Top-rated articles:

• Figma says: "hold my beer", and sneaks off to steal your designs to train its AI
• This company uses AI to help people optimize their work, and save millions.
• AI based Intelligent Automation: [RPA + BPM] x AI = ROI
• A model for strategy development in the AI age
• Uncensored chatbots ??
• This HR company's "AI-assistants" PR-stunt just blew up in their face
• Fake is the new real
• The AI-powered digital marketing agency
• 150 Digital Transformation templates new ones added
• Chip happens ! This article explains the alphabet soup of chip names (CPU, GPU, LPU, TPU)
• Now why do AI/ML project FAIL!
• The age of hyper-personalization