In a recent video posted to X, Procreate CEO James Cuda made a bold statement against the integration of generative AI into their products. This decision has sparked a lot of discussion within the creative community and has raised important concerns about the future of digital illustration.
The creative community’s concerns about generative AI are twofold. Firstly, many digital artists are worried that AI models have been trained on their content without their consent or compensation. This raises important questions about intellectual property rights and the ethical implications of using AI in the creative process. Secondly, there is a fear that the widespread adoption of generative AI tools will greatly reduce employment opportunities for human artists. This fear is not unfounded, as automation continues to replace human labor in many industries.
Procreate has firmly stated that they will not be introducing generative AI into their products. They believe that this technology is “ripping the humanity out of things” and is “steering us toward a barren future.” While Procreate acknowledges the potential of machine learning, they feel that the current path of generative AI is not aligned with their values as a company. This decision has been met with widespread praise from creatives online who share similar concerns about the impact of AI on the creative process.
Procreate’s stance against generative AI has had a ripple effect across the industry. Clip Studio Paint, a rival illustration app, decided to scrap plans for integrating image-generation features after facing backlash from its user base. Other companies, such as Wacom and Wizards of the Coast, have also issued apologies for unintentionally using AI-generated assets in their products. The creative community is clearly pushing back against the widespread adoption of generative AI tools, and companies are being forced to rethink their approach to incorporating AI into their products.
In contrast to other companies in the industry, Procreate has maintained a strong reputation among creatives. Unlike Adobe and Clip Studio Paint, Procreate has stuck to a $12.99 one-time purchase model, avoiding the subscription-based model that has become so common. Additionally, Procreate has expanded its offerings to include products for animation and desktop users, further solidifying its position as a company that prioritizes the needs of artists.
The decision by Procreate to take a firm stance against generative AI has sparked important conversations within the creative community. It has raised questions about the ethical use of AI in the creative process and has forced other companies to reevaluate their approach to integrating AI into their products. As the industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how other companies respond to the concerns raised by Procreate and whether more companies will follow in their footsteps.