Why Russian trolls are trying to stop Democrats from using AI.
Russian trolls and MAGA Nazis use AI as a propaganda tool, and they’re trying to stop Democrats from using AI, because it’s so effective.
People on social media have this weird habit of pretending to be experts on whatever subject is currently being discussed in the news.
They have no idea about anything, but a loud opinion about everything.
Right now it’s trendy to pretend to be an art critic and shit all over AI art.
Stop it.
Computer-generated art has been on display in fancy art museums since the 1980s.
AI art has been exhibited in some of the world's most famous art museums, like the LACMA in Los Angeles and MOMA in New York.
It’s ok to admit you don’t know something. It’s ok to not have an opinion about everything.
And it’s a good idea to actually inform yourself about a subject, before attacking people who do things you don’t understand.
When an artist uses AI, the AI is the artist's brush.
That's what people who blindly criticize AI art don't get. They're just parroting talking points they read on social media somewhere.
AI can create completely unique new art, just like a brush can. The only limit is the artist's imagination. AI does not simply copy someone else's art.
Every art student learns about art by first imitating famous artists. Just like AI.
Artists imagine art in their head and then create it in the real world, as a sculpture, or painting, or photo, or AI image.
They use different tools to manifest their imagination into existence. AI is just the latest and best tool so far.
If you know how to explain to it what you envision, it's so incredibly good at turning your imagination into existence, it's almost like it can read your mind and it can see what the artist sees in their head.
No other art tool was ever able to do that before.
When an artist uses AI to create art, is it still art? Yes, of course it is.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art: Art Enters the Computer Age, 1952–1982.
The first museum retrospective on AI artist Alexander Reben explores his playfully conceptual creations.
AI art enters the MOMA gallery space.
The Getty Museum acquires its first AI-generated artwork.
World’s first AI art museum to explore ‘creative potential of machines’ in LA.
The MisAlignment Museum in San Francisco showcases AI technology through interactive art.
“Creative Machine”, an international large-scale exhibition focusing on AI, robotics, computer art, and creativity, makes its Chinese debut at the Taikang Art Museum.
Central Academy of Fine Arts, China
AI art show shakes up perceptions of art and technology: The Lowe Art Museum’s new exhibit prompts students to consider what artificial intelligence can accomplish in art.
University of Miami, College of Arts & Sciences
7 most expensive AI art pieces ever sold: For the connoisseurs and collectors who revel in the convergence of tradition and innovation, AI art offers a tantalizing glimpse into the future of artistic expression.
AI art “Unsupervised” by Refik Anadol at the Museum of Modern Art in New York
AI artwork sells for $1 million at Sotheby’s.
I've been writing a lot about Russian trolls and how they manipulate Americans on social media, to instigate conflict.
Even Kamala Harris has been talking about it, when she pointed out that the Colin Kaepernick scandal was instigated by Russian trolls.
They use any divisive topic, and then convince Americans to take extremist positions on that topic, to cause conflict. Russian trolls are all over trans rights, gay marriage, immigration, abortion rights, etc.
But it's not just the big issues. Remember the argument about the black mermaid? Or the female Ghostbusters movie? Russian trolls were instigating and amplifying all of that.
And right now they're doing the same thing about AI art.
A lot of the people parroting extreme anti-AI rhetoric don't even know that they're spreading Russian demotivational propaganda.
Russian disinformation agents use AI as a propaganda tool. They create fake news and fake videos to demonize Democrats, and they convinced low-info voters to vote for a Nazi like Trump.
The last thing these Russian disinformation agents want is for Democrats to use the same high-tech propaganda tools. So they convince Democrats not to use AI, which means Democrats are in a gun fight without a gun, and with both hands tied behind their back.
Democrats should absolutely embrace AI.
Not to spread disinformation, but to amplify the truth. AI can help create catchy slogans or effective memes in seconds. Ceding this technology to our enemies who want to destroy democracy is national suicide.
I don't really care if internet randos recognize AI art as art yet.
But the people who are going out of their way to instigate hate against Democrats who use AI are not the good guys.
You can watch in real time while Russian trolls viciously attack me for writing this article. Check out the comments under my Bluesky post.
The Anti-AI Movement: Right-Wing Tendencies and Misguided Activism.
Unmasking the Anti-AI Narrative: The burgeoning anti-AI art movement, spanning communities like the "artist hate" subreddit and various online groups, often frames itself as a champion of artists' rights and ethical technology.
However, a deeper examination of its tactics, core philosophies, and real-world implications reveals a surprising and disturbing alignment with right-wing, protectionist, and even authoritarian ideologies.
I have dealt with trolls and misinfomed people often.
I often block them. What we do not want to do is disregard people who have a different and sometimes valid or informed opinion.
BTW, I agree with and know about most of the things you said. Kamala nailed it 💙
Wow. As an amateur artist myself I think I may have fallen for this propaganda. I always tsk tsk husband too when he uses any AI in music.