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Hard truths: stop bullying ai artists for their work

A growing coalition of people is pushing back against the bullying of AI art creators. Recent discussions reveal that insults in online communities deter many fledgling artists from clearly labeling their work as AI-generated or AI-assisted.

By

Fatima Zahra

Oct 13, 2025, 01:31 PM

Updated

Oct 14, 2025, 01:42 AM

2 minutes needed to read

A group of artists brainstorming and working together with AI tools to create art

The Backlash Against AI Art

The conflict between AI art supporters and detractors has created a hostile arena. While some advocate for better labeling, derogatory comments remain rampant, making artists hesitant to identify their work honestly. One comment summarized the sentiment:

"If that is what happens when you are honest, how many people do you think are going to be honest?" This climate discourages transparency among creators.

Interestingly, a perspective has emerged that hatred drives engagement online. A contributor noted, "Hatred is engagement, which the algorithm feeds on" This observation suggests criticisms often reinforce the undesirable behaviors in communities.

Insults Weigh Heavily on Artists

People who label their AI art frequently face harsh comments like "slop" or other demeaning terms. Insults like "Wireback" and "Cogsucker" have surfaced as new slurs, accompanied by statements urging individuals to simply "go pick up a pencil."

These derogatory remarks not only affect their AI work but spill over to their human-created art as well, creating a pressure cooker for many artists unwilling to engage with the public.

Some commenters shared a balanced view, suggesting neither side is entirely righteous in this conflict. One noted,

"I think being rude to people, even those who agree with immoral things, is bad." This highlights a complex dynamic where both supporters and opponents of AI art contribute to the toxicity.

Voices of Reason on Both Sides

The need for balanced discourse is apparent in various forums. As one commentator articulated, "People shouldnโ€™t pretend their AI work isnโ€™t AI. Both things can be true." This emphasizes that honesty can coexist with AI usage. Yet, the fear of backlash tempts many artists to avoid labeling their work altogether.

A reminder of historical precedents, some likened this backlash to the struggles faced by digital music artists in the past. As one pointed out, misunderstandings like these can hinder progress to create a more open environment.

Navigating Future Community Dynamics

Continuing hostility might push a significant number of artists away from utilizing AI tools, with estimates suggesting that around 60% might scale back due to bullying. "If you label your art we will bully you, and if you donโ€™t label your art we will also bully you," a commenter remarked, underscoring the troubling duality creators face.

Key Insights

  • โ–ฝ Harassment Effects: Insults deter the honest labeling of AI art, creating a culture of fear.

  • โœฑ Irony in Criticism: Critics may unintentionally assist AI's evolution by their negative feedback.

  • โ˜… Need for Dialogue: More constructive conversations could ease tensions between artists and critics.

As this discourse continues, can the art community shift towards understanding? Without change, the struggle to balance honesty and creativity will remain a challenge.