I needed a mantra for a situation I’m currently being exposed to by my family of origin, which could pull me under, if I let it.
I asked AI to create an image of the mantra phrase with some instructions about colors and animals that I like.

In a way, it reminds me of the hand-painted sign I made for my husband after his surgery a couple weeks ago:

I know I’m supposed to think and say that all AI-generated art is a bad thing, but I’m wondering if maybe it has its place.
What do you think?
![A logo for "50 Happens," [a site dedicated to Gen X women with children and grandchildren] [who embrace life's challenges with humor and resilience], [featuring a modern and uplifting design] [that embodies strength and positivity] [with an elegant and playful style] [and a harmonious blend of colors like pink, fuchsia, purple, and blue].](https://50happens.blog/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img-5uorrxvwartomopcpuhjfjd0.png?w=300)
I’m afraid I’m team human when it comes to art. AI versions always look, well… artificial to me. Creativity and personal expression need to be organic for me. I much prefer your handpainted version.
❤️
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I do appreciate them. 🙏🏼😊
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I’m team human, as well. We’re contributing significantly to environmental destruction by using AI unnecessarily. I have to tell myself all the time, “Do not play with AI.” It’s like telling myself not to play with fire in a forest that just about to burn down.
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You’re totally correct, of course! I tend to take a lot of moral direction from my UU church (they were hugely concerned about global warming for decades), but I’m not getting that kind of guidance on not using AI….and I’m weak…so so weak.
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I’m surprised by your UU – i imagine the topic is coming up.
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I know, but our minister has complex thoughts on it. She acknowledges the energy-drain, but balances it with the possibility that it will help solve climate change eventually. Sharing a recent sermon on the topic, in case you’re interested!
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Being hopeful it will help us solve climate change is different than supporting its use for play, though.
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I feel like if you know an art piece is AI and you still want to buy it, go ahead but personally I’d shy away from AI art, as it’s not really art, idk…i didn’t even know it was a thing until my older daughter and i were looking around a winners/homesense store n she was like omg this AI art is so tacky!!! I said AI art?!
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Younger people seem so much better at identifying AI-generated stuff! I feel like it should be labeled clearly as AI-generated, if it is. Tricking people isn’t right. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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Yes you’re absolutely right, they seem to have an eye for it!
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I’m kind of torn on this one. The artist in me thinks that art should be something that is created by humans whether it’s writing or sculpture or music or painting, etc.
But I also know that the reality is, I’m not much of an artist to myself. And I have been leaning into AI to generate images for my blog for the last few months.
I know that they’re not real. I know that it’s obviously AI generated art and I’m OK with that.
I’m at a point in my life where I would rather rely on AI generated art for my blog that outright stealing other people’s creations from the Internet
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That’s a good point Rob. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!
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There’s actually a “band“ on Spotify called the velvet sundown. Their music is pretty good, but it was later revealed that they are 100% AI created: the music, the lyrics, their “album art” and even the band members themselves are AI generated.
I know the big concern about something like that would be Spotify promoting their music over the creations of actual artists. But I think, as long as all parties involved are completely transparent about it, and we don’t let the work of a computer take money out of the pockets of actual artists, I don’t see a real issue with it.
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I agree on the labeling part. I don’t want to be tricked! Younger people seem better at telling the difference. I’m like…old…just make it clear what I’m experiencing.
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Both are nice. I like your hand painted one a bit more. But that giraffe seems to level the playing field a little bit…
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I know, I really like the giraffe too! Thanks for weighing in.
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It definitely has its place. Many small business owners who can’t afford to spend money on design and other promotional materials can now use AI for those purposes. I guess it all depends on the person and the purpose.
I’m also starting to see more people creating their own music using AI for small projects. Instead of paying artists, money they may not have, to use their work, people can now generate their own music for home videos and other projects.
AI is here and will continue to grow as it becomes embedded in everything we use every day. We might as well embrace it and learn everything we can.
By the way, I like both your AI design and the one painted by hand.
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts Edward. I agree—I feel like for better or worse, AI is here. The toothpaste is out of the tube, so to speak.
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You’re welcome, and absolutely. We’re definitely not going back.
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I’m still Ai averse.
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I totally get that and appreciate it. I feel I’ve been weak — getting sucked in. I use it a lot.
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😭😭😭
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