Is that AI Art worth it? Think again!

One viral trend, three hidden issues: Creativity theft, data risks and environmental harm.

Did you catch the latest craze making waves across social media? Everywhere, individuals are taking their run-of-the-mill photographs and turning them into whimsical, Ghibli-like works of art with the use of AI. It's absolutely irresistible, a touch of the old, and the outcomes so spellbinding that one cannot resist being lured to give it a shot as well. Who would not want to be seen existing in a soft pastel-hued reality like it comes out of one of Hayao Miyazaki's films?

But as with all viral fads, there's more going on under the hood than initially appears — and it's perhaps worth pausing to consider the larger picture.

One thing is the question of artist consent. The AI engines behind these photo alterations are taught on millions of works of art, many of which are taken from or directly copy the works of great artists such as Miyazaki, without their explicit consent. These computers learn to mimic the special styles, colors, and atmospheres of great creators without credit or pay. Picture working all your life to create a personal artistic style, only to see a machine replicate it and spread it all over the globe without any mention of the human artistry involved. No wonder that so many artists are angry, as if their efforts and individual tastes are being taken advantage of by the AI software and the businesses that sponsor it.

And then there's the question of privacy. When you share your own photos with these AI applications, do you actually have any idea what happens to them? Are they stored? Sold? Traded? Though most apps vow not to abuse your information, privacy policies tend to be thick, convoluted, and easy to ignore. Once your photos are in circulation, it becomes extremely hard to follow where they end up, how they're utilized, or who may have access to them. In a world where personal information is becoming more valuable, each upload is a potential threat.

And last but not least, there's the cost to the environment , something that most individuals never even give a thought. Behind each AI-driven photo change is a large server network that needs massive quantities of electricity and water to cool and power it. In reality, it's estimated that nearly 5.4 million liters of water are consumed each day just to cool servers that power AI systems around the world. When in a global community already stressing about clean water availability and the increasing effects of climate change, this type of resource use for entertainment applications is unnecessary and unsustainable.

So what does it all add up to? It's that these AI art fads may be fun and visually stimulating, but they're also loaded with unseen ethical, privacy, and environmental consequences. It's an old saw about digital convenience versus consequences in the real world. Just because something is trendy doesn't always mean it's safe , or the best option.

Before you hop on the AI art bandwagon, it's worth asking yourself: Is it worth the price? Sure, it's fun to see yourself reimagined in a magical, animated world. But it's also worth staying awake, making informed choices, and being aware of the bigger impact of even our smallest online actions.

In the end, responsible digital habits don’t mean giving up all the fun , it just means pausing long enough to understand what you’re really participating in.