Margaret Atwood criticizes AI poetry in October 2024 interview
- Bestselling author Margaret Atwood expressed her lack of concern regarding the rise of generative AI during an interview with Reuters.
- Despite a petition against unlicensed AI use of creative works gaining over 31,000 signatures, Atwood remains skeptical about AI's artistic abilities.
- She suggested that while she isn't worried due to her age, younger creators, particularly in the visual arts, should be concerned about the impact of AI on their fields.
In an interview dated October 2024, renowned author Margaret Atwood discussed her perspective on the increasing prominence of generative AI in creative fields. Atwood's remarks come in the wake of a petition against the unlicensed use of creative materials for training AI models, which has garnered more than 31,000 signatures. Despite this public outcry, she stated that she feels too old to be preoccupied with the implications of AI on the arts. Atwood offered a critical evaluation of AI’s capabilities in literature, asserting that its output lacks quality. She described AI as a poor poet and writer, emphasizing that the technology does not possess the capability for original creativity. Atwood categorized AI as merely a data scraper, which raises doubts about its future improvement as an artistic creator. She further advised that her relaxed attitude towards AI might not be held by younger creators, particularly those involved in visual arts. If she were 30 years old and working in that field, she would likely feel apprehensive about AI's encroachment on creative jobs. Her insights reflect a generational divide in perspectives on AI, illustrating that while some may dismiss AI’s threats, others acknowledge the risks it poses to their artistic livelihoods, particularly in an era marked by rapid technological advancements.