We knew it was bound to happen. AI (Artificial intelligence) is getting smarter all the time. It’s what we designed it to do, it’s in its programmed nature. There are so many AI programs available on the web, that I would be surprised if most of the rapid-fire articles posted by some companies were not written by AI. Amazon offers up a host of Machine Learning Services (AI) with their Amazon Web Services (AWS). You can see them here: https://tinyurl.com/3jnyjm73
There are basically four types of AI software:
- Artificial Intelligence Platforms
- Chatbots
- Deep Learning Software
- Machine Learning Software
Each has their own uses, but what I’m going to talk about today is Machine Learning Software combined with Deep Learning Software. These two together can give you some interesting visual results.
Artists can fall into many categories. Many artists are multi-talented with the ability to play more than one instrument. Some can play multiple instruments and sing. Some can play multiple instruments, sing, and write music. The list gets smaller as the talent list increases. Such as they sing, play instruments, write, dance, act, paint, etc.
But AI is making some of these things disappear. Suppose your stuck as a songwriter. Did you know there is an AI songwriting software? Try https://www.lyricstudio.net. Or maybe you need to generate music because all you do is write lyrics. Try https://soundraw.io. Even video can now be generated by AI. You need a quick explainer video? Try https://www.synthesia.io. As a matter of fact, I created a video using this AI and part of this article. It can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/4886myaz.
All of this is pretty amazing stuff. But, in my opinion, it will never take the place of a human mind that thinks through process of creating a work of art whether it be musical, video, or an actual piece of art. And that brings us to our topic: Is Using AI to Create NFTs a Cheat or a Win?
Let’s take a look at a web site that I actually use for other projects and NOT FOR THE CREATION OF NFTs. It’s https://nightcafe.studio. I use this site when I need ideas or sometimes when I need fill in graphics for projects that I’m working on. Once you land on the page, click on “Start Creating”.
You have now entered the wonderful world of AI artwork. It’s going to give you a choice of two algorithms that the computer will use to determine how the image will be composed (i.e., better textures or better composition).
Next, you’re presented with the element that will actually create your image: Your Text Prompt. This is where you have to get creative. And by creative, I mean awesome at your wordsmithing or downright weird. Whatever you type, the AI will try to create. I’ll give you some examples in a moment.
Finally, you will be asked to choose one of sixteen different styles that the computer can use in conjunction with its algorithm to generate your artwork. They all have unique results as you’ll see. But I promised you some examples and here we go.
I chose the Coherent algorithm and the Fantasy style. In the Your Text Prompt I wrote: “An alien spacecraft hovers above a nightclub in the middle of nowhere.” Now, I have to be patient while the AI generates the image. After a few minutes, this was the result:
As you can see, not what I would have created if it were me, but this is what the AI came up with based on the parameters I gave it. Let’s try another one.
I’ll choose the Artistic algorithm and the Sinister style. In the Your Text Prompt: “Ghost pirates on board a ship in a rainstorm at sea.” Now, I wait. And here are the results.
This is pretty cool. Let’s do one more. I’ll choose the Artistic algorithm again and the Cyberpunk style. In the Your Text Prompt: “1980s sci fi adventure movie poster.” Now, I wait for the AI to think it through. And here are the magnificent results. This is truly awesome. And, in my opinion, would make a great NFT.
But, and this is a big but, is it truly mine to make the NFT? Sure, they were my words, BUT the AI created it. Does that mean the AI gets a chunk of the money generated? Does the AI have a digital wallet? You start to see a dilemma here. Will the AI, at some point become intelligent enough to understand the need for either credit for the work or compensation? Do your words to the AI constitute your creating the artwork? You can write all day long, but the AI is the one crunching the numbers and generating the image. So, in the end, how much did you actually do and how much should you profit from it? Questions that will someday have to be answered. So, is using AI to create NFTs a cheat or a win? I guess you’ll have to judge for yourself. But if you do it, you’re a dirty, dirty, cheater.
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