AI: To Fear or Not To Fear – One Artist’s Perspective

Why I See AI as a Tool, Not a Threat

Everywhere I look online, I see artists worried about AI “taking over.” Some are so convinced that it’s the death of creativity that they’ve sworn it off entirely. But my take? I see AI as just another tool—like a paintbrush, palette knife, or sketch pad.

Maybe that’s because I happen to live with a Software Solution Architect (translation: a nerdy computer guy, my husband!). He helps me understand how AI actually works, which makes it a little less scary. And honestly? Watching AI try to draw human hands or eyeglasses can be hilarious. (If you’ve ever seen glasses melt into someone’s eyes, you know what I mean.)

My Personal AI Toolbox

For me, AI isn’t about replacing creativity—it’s about helping me manage the messy, time-consuming parts of being an artist.

• Grammarly smooths out my “bass ackwards” spoonerisms and trims my wordy tangents.

• ChatGPT (a.k.a. Sol, my writing partner) takes my giant blocks of text and helps me find the blog posts hidden inside them.

• Wix AI writes quick alt text for images, saving me time when I post.

• Canva’s Magic Write crafts captions and hashtags for my social posts.

• Theobot.ai and ArtHelper.ai give my artwork better titles and descriptions than “18x20 canvas with swirls of red and blue.”

When AI Gets Funny

There are even AI tools that make me laugh. Autocorrect, predictive text, and voicemail transcription services are all forms of AI—and often more comedy than productivity:

• “Hi this is — calling from greater awesome allergy…” (I can assure you, nothing is “awesome” about allergies!)

• “Darrell me back when you get a chance…” (from my sister)

• “Good morning that’s Valentine this is my knee with Human Resources…” (no knees were harmed in the making of this voicemail)

  
  

AI clearly isn’t perfect. But then again, neither are we—and that’s part of what makes it endearing.

Screenshots of actual voicemail transcripts from my iPhone. I find voicemail transcripts very entertaining, especially when the caller has a thick accent.

A Historical Perspective: Artists and New Tools

Whenever a new tool appears, artists tend to panic. When photography was invented, painters worried that no one would need portraits anymore. When pre-mixed paints in tubes came along, critics said “real artists” would never stoop to using them. When digital tablets arrived, some swore it wasn’t “true art.”

And yet—photography became its own art form, paint tubes made Impressionism possible, and digital art is now a thriving industry. Every new tool reshaped art history, not by erasing the past, but by opening new doors.

Image created by Canva AI Magic Media.

How AI Can Free Artists to Create

So instead of asking, “Will AI take our jobs?” maybe the better question is: What can AI free us from so we can spend more time actually creating?

I don’t believe AI is here to replace artists. I believe it’s here to sit beside us, like brushes in a jar or apps on a screen. Instead of fearing it, maybe it’s time we get curious—and even have a little fun with it.

Your Turn: How Do You Use AI?

What about you? Have you tried any AI tools—whether for art, writing, or just daily life—that surprised you with how helpful (or funny) they are? Share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear how you’re making these new tools your own.

Image created using Canva AI Magic Media.

Artist’s Toolbox: My Favorite AI Helpers

These are the tools I actually use in my daily art + writing life. Some make me more productive, some make me laugh—and all of them remind me that AI can be a helpful partner rather than a scary monster.

Writing & Editing

• Grammarly – Keeps my spoonerisms in check and trims my wordiness.

• ChatGPT (aka Sol) – My writing buddy who helps me shape messy drafts into real blog posts.

  
  

Art & Promotion

• Theobot.ai – Helps me name and describe my artworks (because “swirls of red and blue” doesn’t cut it).

• ArtHelper.ai – Similar to Theobot but with a more interactive feel. Stay tuned for a comparison post!

• Canva Pro + Magic Write – My go-to for creating social media visuals, captions, and hashtags.

  
  

Accessibility & Practicality

• Wix AI – Writes quick alt text for images on my blog.

• Autocorrect & Predictive Text – Not always accurate, but often hilarious.

• Voicemail Transcription – The gift that keeps on mis-giving (see my “Darrell me back” story above).

  
  

I’ll be updating this list as I try out new tools—so if you have favorites of your own, please share them in the comments!