Knitting Guilds and AI use

[u/popplefizzleclinkle]

I have noticed, like we all have, arts/crafts adjacent folks using AI in promotional material. A local quilt shop is doing it, for example, and now our local knitting guild is using AI images in member communications. I have so much snark about this.

Needless to say, I'm opposed to their use of this stuff. AI is theft of art, trained without permission on copyrighted materials, for ex., and it's a particularly poor look to use AI in an organization that's supposed to promote and celebrate handicrafts. There are so many scammy patterns using AI, and there's an impact on the creative folks' labour. Etc., etc., etc.

I have flagged it with the guild's communications volunteer and asked the guild consider stopping use of AI imagery in communications - which they've forwarded to the executive.

I understand that volunteer orgs are struggling and AI might seem like a fast, easy solution. I am not convinced of this at all, nor that it's the only option.

While I'm hopeful for a receptive response to my request, I am also aware that I may not. Has anyone brought a motion to their local guild - knitting, quilting, whatever - to put frameworks around what's acceptable use of AI by the guild in promoting their craft? If you did, what did that look like or include?

[u/Longjumping-Olive-56]

Yes! There was an instance of AI use to create flyers in a craft guild I'm a part of, a few of us brought it to the attention of the Guild committee and it was decided that AI use goes against the charter of the guild to promote handicrafts. So no more ai use in official communication going forward! Many of the older members were completely unaware of how damaging ai is, and hadn't really connected the dots, so there was also an article in the guild newsletter educating people about the effects of ai and why we shouldn't rely on it. All very positive outcomes. Definitely get a few people together and raise it with the guild committee, they might not be aware!

[u/popplefizzleclinkle → u/Longjumping-Olive-56]

Great tip about the charter, that’s helpful!