I'm Tired of AI Image Generated Memes
- Kevin Not-A-Robot
- Mar 31
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 31
035 - A PERSPECTIVE on the practical use of AI image generation for the masses.
The OPINION
It's a social fad I wish would end, as it makes AI feel like a novelty.
Dear readers, I am tired of these AI image hype fads.
With the latest update to Open AI's ChatGPT, we see an improvement in its image generation model. To kick things off by showcasing said improvement, we have countless images generated in the style of the famous anime house, Studio Ghibli.
Since AI image generation first became mainstream with models from MidJourney, Open AI's Dall-e, and others, I have often questioned how practical these generators are for regular everyday use by the general public.
I pose the question because most non-creative people who flood social channels with AI creations and tout how amazing the art is tend to generate things with no purpose other than showing off that they did it.
To give you some background, I come from the advertising world, where everything creative (art, music, writing, etc.) was made with a purpose. In advertising, making creative was our solution to solving business needs or brand problems.
With the advent of generative AI art, the masses have been given the power to make creative with no real purpose other than to show off, "Hey, look what I did, and it only took one prompt."
It's a social fad I wish would end, as it makes AI feel like a novelty.
I recently attended a virtual chat session on X (formerly Twitter) with the founder and CEO of MidJourney, David Holz. Holz talked about how he despises the cycle in how AI startups continually pursue rounds of investor funding because they aren't profitable enough to sustain the business.
To raise funding, AI startups shoot for viral buzz-worthy headlines with each release of their newest AI models, making them look attractive in the eyes of investors.
Now, everything makes sense when looking at the big picture whenever AI image-generated memes spread across the internet touting the latest AI models.
Knowing all of this, it still begs the question: How practical are these AI image generation models for the everyday public? Especially when you mimic popular artistic styles of real-life artists.
In advertising, what makes creative special is when the produced works involve a partnership/collaboration of talented artist known for their artistic style and the advertising agency contracted to do the job. This is celebrated because it is often a monumental task involving months of preparation and revisions to bring a creative vision to life to solve a business need.
It may be because I am biased, having come from advertising. Still, seeing so many image generations in a famous artistic style feels soulless and less purposeful. At the same time, people rave about how amazing it is.
Beyond showing off, I want to know if these people would use AI image generation frequently in their day-to-day lives and what purpose does having such a powerful tool fulfill. I love the potential in what AI can do, but far to many image memes are hogging the spotlight for the real practical use cases and power of AI ultimately making it feel like a forgettable novelty.