Procreate app co-founder “really f***ing” hates generative AI

Emphatically answering a question on the mind of many digital artists, the acclaimed drawing app Procreate won’t include generative AI technology, according to a strongly worded message from its co-founder.

In a rare on-camera appearance, James Cuda, Procreate co-founder and owner of the Hobart-based Savage Interactive company, shut down any speculation that the award-winning app would venture down the AI path. He spoke candidly in a video posted to Procreate’s X account, addressing questions about the controversial technology.

“I really f***ing hate generative AI,” Cuda said. “I don’t like what’s happening in the industry and I don’t like what it’s doing to artists.”

“We’re not gonna be introducing any generative AI into our products.”

We’re never going there. Creativity is made, not generated.
You can read more at https://t.co/9Fgh460KVu #procreate #noaiart pic.twitter.com/AnLVPgWzl3

— Procreate (@Procreate) August 18, 2024

This would also include Dreams, an animation app launched on iPad late last year. Appearing alongside Cuda’s video statement is a section on the Procreate website further clarifying the development studio’s stance on AI.

“Generative AI is ripping the humanity out of things,” the website copy reads. “Built on a foundation of theft, the technology is steering us toward a barren future. We think machine learning is a compelling technology with a lot of merit, but the path generative AI is on is wrong for us.”

The website also explicitly states that any work produced using the app belongs to the user, not the company. Based on the immediate reaction on X, there are a lot of happy Procreate users right now.

Artists and writers around the world have voiced concerns over the technology, mainly around its training data derived from copyrighted works. Many continue to watch the ongoing legal battle between the New York Times, Microsoft, and OpenAI with great interest. Collectives like 100% Human, of which GadgetGuy is a member, have also committed to fostering people-made content.

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