Articles -> Accessibility & Technology
At this moment, I find it important in general, but also pertinent to our mission, to take a clear stance on AI as it pertains to art, music, and writing composition.
We would not be able to call ourselves accessibility advocates, while also condoning the use of generative AI in creative spaces. How can we claim to push for more opportunities and access for people with disabilities, if we are not also fully standing up for those artists who create with their own talent and effort? If we aren’t hiring people to either teach us or create for us, we are essentially deleting opportunities for those people. What is the point of accessibility, if we aren’t involving people?
At this time, we don’t see a compromise: you can’t claim to advocate for accessibility, while also choosing to employ generative AI over real human talent. So here is our official statement:
Terrasongs does not affiliate with anyone who uses generative AI to create music. We do not affiliate with anyone who employs generative AI to create artwork and promotions. We do not affiliate with anyone who uses AI to generate content of any kind.
Generative AI has been defended in many ways, the most prevailing justification for the use of it seems to be, “Well it’s here, it’s everywhere, and it’s not going anywhere”.
Ok? I can come up with an endless list of things that are here, everywhere, and not going anywhere. The LSAT part of me knows this is an argument full of holes, and hardly a justification for the behavior that we see.
Is it foolish to completely write off AI in it’s entirety? It depends on the person and the organization. My bachelor’s degree is in Management Information Systems, so many of the courses I have taken have involved understanding Large Language Models, which is basically an engine that an AIs like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude run on.
My thorough knowledge of how AI models are built, trained, employed, and their limitations tell me there will be no Frank Herbert-style takeover and domination of the human race. That doesn’t mean that the economy, the workplace and workplace culture, the quality of certain deliverables, people’s lives, and the integrity of art can’t be severely damaged by the way some people choose to employ AI.
We promote any artist, musician, and writer who advocates for themselves and others and creative spaces, but we draw the line at generative AI, which at best is a breach of creative integrity, and at worst, a glorified plagiarism machine.