From illustrators guarding their work to designers under commercial pressure, Singapore’s creative community is working out how to live with generative AI without losing what makes art human.

Why Some Artists Object

Many artists object that generative AI is trained on existing creative work, often without the original creators’ consent. Illustrators say that AI can copy a style or recreate their work in seconds, and that this differs from how artists learn from one another, because human influence is shaped by personal experience and judgement. Some animators have also seen AI-made work that closely copies existing pieces with only minor changes.

Protecting Work and Livelihoods

Some creators write restrictions into their contracts, banning clients from putting commissioned work through AI or using AI to alter it. A local comic publisher said it does not use AI and respects creators who object to their work being used alongside it. Some artists use Glaze and Nightshade, two research tools that make images harder for AI to copy or train on. Critics note that these tools do not remove work already used in training, and cannot stop every form of copying. Several artists argue that protection should come from organised collective action rather than falling on individuals.

Keeping Art Human

Many creators emphasise honesty about their process. Some share videos of how they work, although others say such videos are mainly about engaging audiences. A muralist highlights the imperfections of hand-painted work, and the human moments that inspire it, as things AI cannot reproduce. A designer’s message to artists is that they can use AI without giving up their creative identity.

Balancing Values and Earning a Living

Not every artist can refuse AI. Some work for companies that expect its use, and newer creators may not have the reputation or client base of established artists. Educators are trying to balance these pressures. One art school says it wants students to learn to create both with and without AI and to make informed choices. An NTU academic argues that routine commercial design will be disrupted, but that not all creative work needs to be a statement of artistic value. Artists may also keep their personal practice separate from paid work.

The Way Forward

Some experts believe generative AI’s abilities are often overstated, because it produces what is statistically familiar. Artists can use this by deliberately creating work that differs from the predictable result. Others choose to reject AI and build a distinctive brand around that. One commentator argues that local artists should draw more confidence from Singapore’s own cultural knowledge, since an AI-generated film that missed local speech and details showed what machines still get wrong.