The Embroiderers’ Guild is aware of the concerns around the use of Artificial Intelligence systems (AI) and its impact on the textile community. We hope this statement helps you understand the Guild’s approach to using AI, and where it may be appropriate and where it may not be.
What is AI?
Artificial Intelligence is turning up everywhere; our concerns sit with using it to replace human creativity and design.
Why does it matter in a creative world ?
We are seeing AI generated pictures for designs and kits for sale on the internet. This can result in people making purchases where the outcome can never match the promise.
We are concerned that use of GenAI reduces creativity in the user and creates homogonous results, that lack innovation and the individual spark of creativity. This means that people may not develop as an artist.
It also impacts on experimentation and exploration of design principles (line, texture, colour etc) and developing these in unique ways.
Looking forward it has the potential to limit the next generation of embroidery and textile artists,
The positive side of AI usage
We acknowledge that the use of AI in creative work can have a positive part to play. E.g.
- Visualising how a design may work on a model in design e.g. fashion,
- Experimenting with colours, and patterns as part of the design process.
- Enabling conversational discussion to unlock inspirational ideas and unblock creative roadblocks.
A lot of graphics software now includes AI capability which can be used in partnership with a human creator.
Guild statement on use of AI in what we produce
Although we may use AI supported digital tools to assist with our organisation’s activities, we firmly believe that generative AI tools should not be used to replace human creativity.
We therefore will not use GenAI created images or text for any of our content in newsletters or magazines, on the website, or in social media posts. We will strive to not knowingly share or promote AI generated content from others.
We will continue to focus on human creativity in all areas of our work.
Guild statement on use of AI for Members Challenge and Members Project
The use of generative AI or tools with AI embedded features does not disqualify work from being humanly created, provided those tools have been used only to assist in the design process, such as research, brainstorming, outlining or any other use that does not create the final design.
Entrants to Members Challenge and Members Project will need to explain how they have utilised AI tools as part of their design process. All entrants must confirm that their final design is humanly created before or during the stitching.
Both the work and artist’s statement should be humanly created. We will challenge if we feel this is not the case.
Read a more detailed overview of the use and impact of AI in the Textile community.