Midjourney - A nightmare for artists?

In recent years, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have revolutionized the field of image creation and editing. AI-powered tools can generate incredibly realistic images that mimic the work of professional photographers and artists. While these tools may seem like a creative breakthrough, they have also given rise to concerns regarding the impact on the livelihoods of traditional artists and photographers.

The Rise of AI-Powered Image Creation:

Artificial intelligence has made significant strides in image creation, offering powerful tools that can generate stunning visuals with minimal human intervention. These AI systems utilize deep learning algorithms and massive datasets to analyze and understand patterns in existing images. Through this analysis, they can generate new, unique images that possess striking realism and artistic appeal.

One such example of an AI-based image generation tool is 'Midjourney'

Midjourney is an AI image generator tool that allows users to create images from text descriptions. It is powered by a large language model trained on a massive dataset of images and text. To use Midjourney, simply type a description of the image you want to create, and the tool will generate an image based on your description. For example, you could type "a landscape painting of a forest at night" and Midjourney would generate an image of a forest at night. Midjourney is still in beta, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we create images. It can be used by artists, designers, and anyone else who wants to create visually stunning images.

Here are some of the key features of Midjourney:

• Text-based prompts: Midjourney allows users to create images from text descriptions. This makes it easy to create specific images that match your vision.
• Large language model: Midjourney is powered by a large language model that is trained on a massive dataset of images and text. This gives Midjourney the ability to generate realistic and detailed images.

If you are interested in creating images from text descriptions, then Midjourney is a great tool to try. It is still in beta, but it has the potential to revolutionize the way we create images.

How Midjourney Works

Midjourney uses a type of AI called a generative adversarial network (GAN). GANs are trained on a massive dataset of images. The GAN has two parts: a generator and a discriminator. The generator tries to create new images that are like the images in the dataset. The discriminator tries to distinguish between real images and fake images created by the generator.

As the generator and discriminator compete with each other, they both get better at their jobs. Eventually, the generator becomes so good at creating realistic images that the discriminator can no longer tell the difference between real and fake.

Let's address the elephant in the room

Now there can be two groups with different sets of opinions, one of them will raise this concern that Midjourney will take away jobs from artists, while the other group will advocate that AI image generator tools will not take the jobs of Photographers and Artists anytime soon. Below we have addressed both probable situations.

Situation 1 - How Midjourney and other AI image generators could potentially threaten the jobs of artists and photographers in a few ways:

• If AI image generators can create realistic and high-quality images that are indistinguishable from human-created images, then there may be less demand for original artwork from human artists. This could lead to fewer jobs for artists and lower prices for artwork.
• AI image generators could also make it easier for people to create images without specialized skills, such as drawing or photography. This could lead to fewer jobs for artists and photographers who specialize in these skills.
• As AI-generated images flood the creative market, the demand for traditional artists and photographers may experience a decline. Individuals and businesses seeking visually appealing content may turn to AI tools for their convenience and cost-effectiveness. This shift in demand could leave many talented artists and photographers struggling to find employment and make a living from their craft.
• By relying heavily on AI-generated images, there is a risk that the value of traditional artistic skills will be diminished. The ease and accessibility of AI tools make it possible for individuals with little to no artistic training to produce visually impressive images that can be difficult to differentiate from those created by professional artists and photographers. This devaluation of artistic skill not only threatens the livelihoods of established professionals but also discourages aspiring artists from pursuing their dreams.
• All this could lead to a decline in the demand for traditional art supplies, such as paints, brushes, and canvases. It could also lead to a change in the way that art is taught in schools and universities.

Situation 2 - The other set of people will advocate that AI image generator tools like Midjourney will not take the jobs of Photographers and Artists anytime soon. Here is some supporting information for this opinion:

• AI image generators are still in their initial stages of development. They are not yet able to create images that are indistinguishable from human-created images. As AI image generators continue to develop, they may become more capable of creating realistic images, but they are unlikely to ever be able to replace human artists.
• Artists and Photographers have unique skills and talents that AI image generators cannot replicate. Artists and Photographers can use their creativity, imagination, and technical skills to create images that are both visually appealing and emotionally resonant. AI image generators are not able to do this.
• There is still a high demand for original artwork and photography. Businesses, individuals, and collectors are still willing to pay for original artwork and photography. This demand is unlikely to be significantly reduced by the rise of AI image generators.
• AI image generators instead of taking away jobs can be used to create new opportunities for artists and photographers. For example, AI image generators can be used to create concept art, storyboards, and other visual materials for films, television shows, and video games. AI image generators can also be used to create custom images for businesses and individuals.
• The rise of AI image generators could lead to a new era of collaboration between artists and machines. Artists could use AI image generators to generate ideas, create concept art, or add final changes to the artwork. This could lead to new and innovative forms of art.

Some recent examples of images generated by Midjourney that have caused some serious security concerns:

• An image of Donald Trump being arrested was created using Midjourney and shared on social media. The image was quickly declared fake, but it sparked a debate about the potential for Midjourney to be used to create fake news. The NYPD further confirmed no such arrest happened.

• An image of the Pope wearing an urban jacket was also created using Midjourney. The image was shared by several news outlets, who mistakenly believed it to be real. The Pope's office later confirmed that the image was fake.

Several images of violence and gore have also been created using Midjourney. These images have been shared on social media, and some have expressed concern that they could be used to promote violence or hate speech.

Midjourney is a powerful tool that can be used to create realistic and creative images. However, it is important to be aware of the potential for the tool to be used to create fake news or harmful content. Users of Midjourney should use the tool responsibly and be aware of the potential for their creations to be misused.

Conclusion

Midjourney has the potential to disrupt the creative industry and has already shown a lot of promise in its preliminary stages. It will be interesting to see how Midjourney evolves in the future and how it changes the way that art is created, produced, and consumed. Thus it is vital to raise awareness about this issue and advocate for the continued recognition and support of artists and photographers who bring their unique vision and talent to the world of image creation. By fostering an environment that values and appreciates human creativity, we can ensure that the artistry and artisanship of traditional artists and photographers remain an integral part of our cultural landscape.