From novelists to audiobook narrators, a growing number of creatives and academics are actively resisting the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in their work and personal lives. They cite concerns over accuracy, job losses, environmental impact, and ethical issues as reasons for their refusal to embrace the technology.
Scottish novelist Ewan Morrison, who discovered that ChatGPT had fabricated a book titled 'Nine Inches Pleases a Lady' and attributed it to him, is among those who distrust AI systems when it comes to truth. 'I just distrust these systems when it comes to truth,' he says. Morrison, whose latest novel 'For Emma' explores the human costs of technology, refuses to use AI in his own life and work, despite keeping an eye on its capabilities.
Morrison is critical of what he calls 'alarmist fears about the potential for superintelligence and runaway AI,' which he believes are a fiction dangled before investors to secure billions in funding. He also highlights copyright violations, job losses, tech addiction, ecological impact, and damage to the education system as major concerns. 'I find that ethically revolting,' he says of AI-enabled weapons being used in conflict zones.
Audiobook narrator April Doty shares similar concerns, particularly about the environmental cost of AI. 'I'm infuriated that you can't turn off the AI overviews in Google search,' she says. 'Whenever you look anything up now you're basically torching the planet.' She has started using alternative search engines to avoid AI, but notes that it is increasingly difficult to escape.
Despite the pushback, AI proponents often dismiss refuseniks as ignorant luddites or smug hipsters. However, a recent study found that AI answered more than 60% of queries inaccurately, lending weight to the sceptics' arguments. As Morrison puts it, 'There's nothing that stops accelerationism more than failure to deliver on what you promised.'
