The Light Side of AI

Choosing to Artfully Challenge the Narrative

Lately, I’ve noticed a misconception that using AI to create artistic images is as simple as pressing a button. Hit “Enter” and out pops a perfectly finished visual. But as a graphic designer experimenting with AI, I’ve humbly come to realize: it’s not that simple.

There’s a narrative around AI that seems to be fuelled by fear – fear that machines will replace us, fear that creativity will lose its soul, and fear that art will become something effortless and meaningless. From my perspective, working with AI requires intention, vision, and craft. It’s not magic – it’s skill, and (ironically) it’s deeply human.

Turning Criticism Into Creative Empowerment

I’ve found that the criticism of AI mirrors what artists and creatives have faced with every major wave of technological advancement. Photography was once dismissed because it “required no skill.” Digital art was criticized for not being “real art.” Now, AI is the new frontrunner for misunderstanding and ridicule.

Recently, I experienced my first wave of unwanted and harsh comments on social media. It stung—pressing on an old wound from my past, one shaped by incessant bullying. But this time, I’ve made the decision not to shrink under the weight of others’ opinions or conform to their beliefs. Instead, I’ve chosen to respond with creativity and intention, using these moments as fuel for reflection and growth.

For me, creating with AI is not an act of automation—it’s an act of collaboration. It requires guiding the technology with an artist’s eye, a designer’s intuition, and a deep intention to bring forth meaning. Each piece I create is shaped with care, from crafting precise prompts to using tools like Photoshop to enhance and breathe life into the final vision. AI is not the end of creativity. It’s an extension of it—a way to push boundaries, spark new ideas, and reframe what’s possible.

Reprogramming for Good

A theme I return to often in my work is the idea of reprogramming for good. Both humans and machines have the ability to transform. Just as we can program technology to respond to our needs, we can also program our consciousness—choosing how we respond to fear, criticism, and change. We can choose to create joy, hope, and empowerment.

As a freelance graphic designer, I’ve had moments where I could choose to believe the thought that AI will replace me, that this technology will “ruin everything.” But I’ve realized that this way of thinking won’t serve me—it will only hold me back. Clinging to fear-based beliefs creates barriers to growth, while embracing curiosity and innovation opens doors to new opportunities.

This same fear-driven narrative fuels much of the criticism I’ve encountered. Negative feedback often comes in the form of questions like “why would you participate in using an evil technology that is ultimately ruining people’s lives?” But I don’t see AI as inherently good or bad. For me, it’s a tool, and, like any tool, its impact depends on how it’s used. I’ve chosen to use it intentionally—to create work that reflects creativity, meaning, and possibility.

manifesting a Bright Future for Creativity

Through my AI-generated visuals, I seek to embrace the fear-based narratives surrounding AI. I don’t see technology as the villain; I see it as an opportunity. What if, instead of fearing AI, we used it to create a better future—one where machines are programmed to reflect human values of empathy, connection, and innovation? The AI visuals I create serve as renderings of that possibility: where technology and humanity coexist, peacefully and creatively.