For the Record, Jen Fries Arts is an AI-free studio

Well, I guess it’s time for an official Jen Fries statement on generative AI. Here it is:

AI doesn’t live here.

There is no AI in my work, and there never will be. I do not use AI, and I do not authorize any AI app to “train” on my work. I can’t stop it until some proper legislation happens, but I do not give permission for it.  I will support my fellow creatives’ copyrights by never posting any AI-generated content on my website or social media, as well.

I have strong and detailed opinions about AI that I won’t get into right now. Maybe later. If you’ve read this far, you can tell I’m in the anti camp. I agree with the many well-articulated arguments about copyright, privacy, energy consumption, misinformation, and unethical business practices. Some of my loved ones feel differently. We’re working on peaceful co-existence.

The thing is, my work is analog. I make art with physical materials. I write words on physical paper. I drafted this statement in pencil while drinking tea on my porch and watching storm clouds break up. I have no use for AI, and there is no way it can be relevant to what I do.

I don’t hate the technology, per se. AI shows great promise in the sciences, medicine, space exploration, robotics, and other typically unprofitable R&D fields. 

Unfortunately, the short-term profit is in what I’m calling Liberal Arts AI in entertainment, journalism, art, and other fields for which it is singularly ill-suited. That’s what all the hype is about, and the effect of AI on these fields has been, um — not good. Bad. Actively worse than useless.

Hopefully, the novelty of Liberal Arts AI will soon wear off, and it will go the way of NFT’s. Anyone remember those?

Full disclosure: I do use randomization. I like to brainstorm with simple word and prompt generators. I toss coins, throw dice, and pull Tarot cards. As a collagist, I combine random materials and appropriated vintage images – all public domain, of course, I might add.

But I don’t outsource my creativity. I don’t ask someone else to draft my stories, do my research, lay out my compositions, or even make the actual piece for me to sign and take credit for. I express my ideas myself.

What does that mean for you? It means I can promise the following:

• All works with my name on them are 100% my original creation.
• All my communications are 100% me talking and writing.

If you find me inconsistent, unpunctual, and other annoying things, it’s because I’m a human. You can take my moody, messy imperfections as proof of reality.

And since AI is already causing trouble with misrepresentation and fraud, I want to highlight some important, practical guidelines to protect you and me both:

• There is only one source for Jen Fries art and writing, and I’m it. All my work is represented on my website, Jen Fries Arts. That is the hub for everything that comes out of my studio.
• I decide where my work is sold. All authorized vendors and platforms are linked on my website. 
• If you find my work for sale or giveaway on any site not linked on my website, it is not authorized and might be counterfeit. Please contact me.
• If you see any work in a style similar to mine but not represented on my website, that is someone else’s work. Whether legit or not, it is not mine. Please contact me.
• If you see any kind of work claiming to be made by me but not represented on my website, that’s a fake. Please alert me immediately.
• If in doubt about the authenticity of any work, check this site and/or contact me at jenfries.artist@gmail.com.

I’m pretty sure my work has not been added to any AI data set, but the way the apps scrape the whole internet, it’s only a matter of time. Don’t be misled. Always check with me.

The bottom line is Jen Fries makes and sells Jen Fries work. If you’re not getting it from Jen Fries, then you’re not getting Jen Fries. Simple as. Caveat Emptor.

No AI here, thanks.

-Jen