The trade of writing has been on my thoughts so much, in recent times. Whilst I perceive the advantages of AI in spaces akin to science, analysis and healthcare, like many reporters, writers and authors, I’m extraordinarily interested in its have an effect on at the inventive industries – and naturally, the surroundings. I could also be anti-tech-bro however I’m now not anti-tech, or anti-progress.
Previous this 12 months, it was once broadly reported that to coach its generative AI fashions, Meta had used an unlawful Russian web site LibGen ( principally, a ‘pirated’ library) moderately than going via the right kind channels to procure replica. The corporate ( and this was once signed off by means of M.Z) had selected to avoid wasting money and time by means of copyright infringement, or stealing the paintings of authors. Writing takes talent, creativity and tough graft, to not point out time – some books take a decade or extra to finish – it’s felony and demoralising that tech corporations are taking advantage of plagiarism.
On a smaller scale, each time I write a function for That’s Now not My Age my content material is scraped by means of spambots and finally ends up on some shitty, faux web site. If I make an effort determine who owns the platform and to whinge, the corporate all the time pushes again. Looking to document all this might be a irritating full-time task and I’d by no means get any paintings finished. I’ve been liaising with my superb tech man Tom to peer what we will do, I’ve spoken to different reporters – and written to my MP to invite her to lift this factor in parliament. The primary drawback being the loss of on-line law and tech corporations driving roughshod.
Matt Haig picture by the use of Instagram
So, I used to be happy to peer the best-selling creator Matt Haig, 50, caution concerning the have an effect on of AI in publishing, and the worth of human-generated, authentic paintings. On Instagram, he introduced a brand new e book venture ‘Concerning the INFINITE worth of being human in an international the place tech and income are positioned above us. A e book of defiance within the age of AI. A e book on how irreplaceable we’re in spite of what tech bro’s imagine’.
Haig additionally mentioned:
‘ There appears to be numerous anti-human power round. Spotify’s set of rules pushing AI rock bands. Style with its AI fashions. Netflix the usage of AI for motion pictures. MSN with its shitty AI journalism. All proof of ways the inventive industries are basically anti-creatives and need a international the place the true human skill is lower out the image. An international of natural content material and nil artwork. An international the place capitalism serves handiest income so an organization like Duolingo can lay off its human creatives and really feel this is simply following the associated fee saving laws of industrial.
Neatly, I’ve just a little of energy too. Now not up to them. However a little bit bit. So I’m going to make use of my energy to champion the ability of being human at a time when it’s wanted.’
Deliver it on. I’m positive I can write extra about this topic, however within the period in-between I need to state for the file that That’s Now not My Age is, and can all the time stay, an AI-free zone.
This put up was once revealed on
thatsnotmyage.com
on August 12, 2025 and written by means of Alyson Walsh.
