Generative AI: the Good and the Bad, a Midjourney Experience

Would Pablo Picasso or Vincent van Gogh be afraid if they were alive today, considering the advancements in AI-generated art?

The answer is probably no, but contemporary artists perceive it as a threat to their profession.

Gone are the days of relying on complicated tools to transform your pictures into cartoons or convert text into images within minutes! Now, it is possible to explore more things. Such tools have been adopted by digital creators, influencers, writers, and bloggers.

The marketing was done by early adopters, not by the company.

From this revolution in digital creation, we find ourselves asking endless questions every day.

• Where are we going?
• Is Mid-Journey a Replacement for Digital Artists?
• To whom does a picture generated with AI belong?
• Do we train the models using the platform?
• Where are we with regulations around the world?

1. The excitement

I was astounded the first time I used the tool. The stunning graphics captivated me, leaving me speechless as I write this text. From a spaceship to my favorite religious icon, I am uncertain about what the program can generate. It was an amazing experience!

The possibilities are limitless, making it a gold mine for innovators to construct anything they desire beyond their wildest dreams.

2. The Good

You can transform a word into an image within a minute and easily cartoonize your picture without the inconvenience of programs like Photoshop. However, once this tool is in the hands of creators, some may misuse it to spread misinformation.

When users attempt to create deceptive photos and images to spread fake news, the platform becomes concerned.

Midjourney takes the following measures to prevent abuses:

• Extreme Violence
• Sexual or pornographic content
• To publicly repost the creations of others without their permission.

As a result, users can enjoy a safer environment that fosters greater creativity without putting each other at risk!

Technology should be used for good!

3. The Bad

Since the launch of the free trial version, there have been numerous instances of online abuse. These include fake images of the Pope wearing a fashionable jacket, rumors of Elon Musk dating GM CEO Mary Barra, and false reports of Donald Trump's arrest.

Such abuses led millions of internet users to mistakenly consider images as accurate. More online buzz and the start of conflicts among fans!

Is mid-journey untouchable by regulators?

Due to numerous instances of abuse and fraudulent accounts being created by users in order to bypass the restrictions, the CEO has made the decision to terminate the free trial version. The reason cited was an unprecedented demand and abuse of the trial period.

4. Regulations

There have been advancements in the field of AI. In previous decades, we didn't hear much about the topic, and certain organizations may have chosen to remain silent. With less media coverage and more research, 2023 is being hailed as the year of AI, and this claim cannot be denied!

A multitude of factors contribute to this trend, including the availability of diverse tools, a growing interest in experimentation, increased media coverage, and a general desire to become advocates for artificial intelligence (AI). Additionally, there are extra courses and free resources available for learning. We should also consider the number of people who value rules and the potential impact on the business aspect when utilizing these tools.

Dalle 2, Stable Diffusion, and Midjourney together created a wave resembling a tsunami! Midjourney is the king of the generative domain. This tool can generate everything in just one minute.

Why should you pay a monthly or yearly fee for something you don't own?

When it comes to regulations, controversy arises. Some artists have accused generative AI platforms of web scraping and stealing their artwork. An income loss for their crafts and creative endeavors.

Thanks to chatGPT for text generation and Midjourney for providing stunning photos, Ammaar Reshi, a passionate tech enthusiast, was able to create a children’s book in just 72 hours and successfully sell it on Amazon! The book is still available online and has not been removed from the platform. The information has gone viral, and more critics are speaking out against the self-proclaimed "author." A fun fact about Amazon is that it has three identified authors: Reshi, ChatGPT, and Midjourney.

In such instances, the issue of intellectual property rights becomes challenging for regulators, and five questions arise.

• Whose book is it?
• Can we now consider ChatGPT and Midjourney Books as publishing companies?
• Will they demand a revenue share from the author if the book becomes a bestseller?
• What if the book is republished and sold on a different platform?
• What are the laws regarding the creation of AI artwork?

If we maintain our enthusiasm for change, life in the tech industry can present challenges for digital creators and regulators. Infinite concerns arise around the world, as each country has its own laws. What is applicable in America may not be applicable on other continents.

The GDPR framework has been a tremendous success in the European Union. However, authorities worldwide are continuously developing new frameworks to prevent digital businesses from violating the law. Despite this progress, there is still a lack of transparency and collaboration among stakeholders.

When digital artists accuse large AI corporations of stealing their jobs, it is not easy to convince them. Web scraping enables individuals to train their models using vast amounts of data from diverse online sources.

When will regulators address these issues? Who will compensate artists if their work is stolen?

It is a new era, and there are no established regulations governing generative AI. As we progress, more laws will be enacted to create a better digital world, and the future can feel uncertain at times.

5. The shiny object syndrome

As new technology platforms emerge, the wave of innovation continues. We are constantly dissatisfied with our current possessions, always chasing after trends and seeking to make use of new things.

We often overlook the business aspect when deciding to utilize generative AI technologies. We frequently disregard regulations and rarely find the time to read lengthy user agreements. We've fallen into a trap!

6. A writer dilemma

When the trend of generative AI tools began online, I was hesitant until I tried a platform called "Midjourney" myself. After almost three intense years in network automation, growing with mentors and a community, I wanted to give back by creating a Python sketchbook. This sketchbook aims to help beginners in the field learn in a simple and practical manner.

Working with a designer or illustrator can be costly. However, since I am capable of writing and explaining the content myself, sketching was the most suitable and cost-effective option. I subscribed to Midjourney's monthly plan and promptly joined their Discord channel. On my first day, I took the initiative to learn the fundamentals of AI sketch generation by conducting online research. My main objective was to utilize AI technology to create sketches.

I began to wonder if I could have full ownership of everything I created. After reading an article online, I discovered that it is not feasible to have complete and exclusive rights to creative works.

I still get excited about playing with generative AI for fun, rather than for commercial purposes. This is because the regulations surrounding it are unclear, making it difficult to work under such circumstances. To further my project, I have made the decision to collaborate with an illustrator who can help me achieve my objectives and we signed an agreement.

7. Conclusion

The application of generative artificial intelligence is currently very exciting. However, without clear regulations, additional issues will arise in the future. With this development, defining intellectual property becomes difficult.

To create stunning photographs or images, you have the option to subscribe on a monthly or yearly basis. Are you the sole owner of the generated data?

I prefer collaborating with designers, illustrators, and digital creators for commercial purposes because the legal rights to intellectual property are still uncertain when using generative AI tools. This uncertainty has made me hesitant to use them for any business purposes.

For a better future in technology, regulators should put a lot of effort into fostering greater transparency and collaboration with AI businesses.

More questions surround the application of the technology, which raises doubts for individuals interested in pursuing profitable projects.

The responsibility lies with the regulators to implement the desired changes in AI technology companies.