Popular iPad design app Procreate is opposed to generative AI and has vowed not to introduce generative AI features into its products. The company said on its website that while machine learning is a “compelling technology with many benefits,” the current direction of generative AI isn't a good fit for its platform.
Procreate says it's not pursuing technologies that threaten human creativity, even if it could make the company “appear to be at risk of being left behind.”
Procreate CEO James Kuda issued an even stronger statement of opposition to the technology in a video posted to X on Monday.
“I absolutely hate generative AI,” Cuda said in the video. “I hate what's going on in the industry and I hate how it's impacting artists. We're not going to put generative AI into our products. Our products have always been designed and developed with humans in mind.”
The company's move has garnered widespread praise from digital artists online, many of whom are frustrated with the way other digital art and illustration apps have adopted the technology.
If you're wondering whether to use Photoshop or Procreate, remember this
Adobe (Photoshop)
> Expensive monthly subscription
> Unable to delete generated AI function
Reproduce
> One-time purchase
> “I really hate generative AI” – Procreate CEO https://t.co/RXAOKoYMVU
— David Toons (@DavidToons_) August 19, 2024
For example, illustration app Clip Studio Paint has backed away from plans to release an image generation tool in 2022 after facing backlash from users.
Adobe, which has perhaps the most popular suite of design tools, has released several generative AI features in its products. Additionally, Adobe recently came under fire for appearing to suggest that it trains AI models on users' content in its updated terms of service. The company subsequently had to clarify that it does not train AI models on customers' content.
As digital art platforms increasingly embrace AI, it's interesting to see a popular app buck the crowd, and given that Procreate's announcement has been met with great praise from artists and designers, it will be interesting to see if other companies follow suit.
“We don't know exactly where this story is going or how it will end, but we believe we are on the right path to supporting human creativity,” Kuda said.