In the "disabled people need AI for art, saying otherwise is ableist" discourse, I think one point is being lost that is necessary to remember: Not all AI is generative AI.
For the record I am permanently disabled, I do art and write for fun, and I think generative AI is the devil. However, as a disabled person, I do use ASSISTIVE AI in my daily life to do things I cannot do myself. You probably do as well, without even knowing it.
What's the difference? Assistive AI is programmed to help humans with tasks, NOT creation!
Examples of very common assistive devices that incorporate AI:
- A Roomba that learns the layout of your home and moves about it to vacuum, then returns to its dock - A driverless car - Hearing aids that learn your needs and adjust to give you better sound quality - Text to speech programs that allow you to dictate your writing to a computer - Speech to text programs, including closed captioning on TV/films or phones that instantly convert speech to text - Pumps for type 1 diabetes that monitor your blood sugar levels and adjust your insulin dosage in real time to keep you at a stable level Assistive AI and assistive technology in art and writing might include:
- Speech to text to allow you to dictate your writing to a computer if you cannot type - Programs to automatically alter contrast, colors or text on a screen to be easier to see - Devices to make holding paintbrushes, pencils or other tools easier or possible - Paintbrushes, crochet hooks, pens or other tools that have larger handles and are easier for people with arthritis or other hand conditions to hold - Speech based programs that allow you to direct a pen or on screen drawing - Chairs and tables that accommodate disability or illness needs and allow someone to sit or stand as they need to - A camera that stabilizes itself to adjust to a photographer with shaking hands
Assistive AI and technology in art and writing DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Using GENERATIVE AI
Generative AI is essentially regurgitating someone else's work, which was likely to have been taken without their consent or compensation. It's nothing more than stealing from others. Many people who have had their work stolen to train AI models are disabled. It's exploiting others for profit, and that is in itself an ableist action.
So we need to parse this out, and realize that AI as an assistive tool is absolutely valid and completely removed from generative AI. Two different things.
