AI in Tattooing, First Thoughts

I think there’s a lot of unfortunate and fortunate truths about AI, in any medium or format that makes it hard to accept AI. It's because of the quick and easy nature, and zero barrier to entry, that its difficult to imagine, how easily it takes all the hard work and years of dedication that so many tattoo artists and artists alike have spent just trying to make their art and skills marketable out of the equation.

I do find it a personally distressing fact that AI has essentially built it’s entire “skill set” on artwork that was trademarked and not exactly cleared for use with these large language models. It may be some sort of free-use clause that allows them to do that? I’m no licensing expert. The music industry has put considerable pressure and controls on the use of these kinds AI models form learning from artists though-out the 90’s and 2020’s as I understand it – and it’s kept those models from becoming industry destroying tools. Those measures have kept music creators protected. At least until recently, where now, AI music – and AI-remixes are blowing up. There’s a great deal of listeners on Spotify, that are listening to AI generated music, and they aren’t even aware of it. Perhaps that is another issue as well. But I digress, back to tattoo designs.

Using AI to generate full professional tattoo design is equally distressing. While there are many arguments for it's use, I believe that clients are paying not just for a tattooer to tattoo them, but to use those skills to create something that comes from years of dedication and knowledge, and not to transfer that responsibility onto the AI. Also, there is certainly a expectation that as a tattoo artist, you are the artist behind the designs you tattoo. Choosing not to be clear about tattooing an AI design, I would argue, is about the most dishonest way to use AI. That clarity and honesty is part of what the client, isn’t just paying for - but deserves. Those are just my personal feelings, and the full picture is more complicated.

I'm reminded of a time when I confronted an artist online about how much he was selling his artwork for. His artwork was lousy. A lot like a toddler scribbled it into existence, or perhaps even worse. I believe the artist may have had a disability, I’m not particularly sure – but it was strange, he was selling his art for $2000 or more?! It blew my hair right back! So, taken back and obviously offended I asked him,"what the heck man?"

To be honest, I don’t remember his answer, or if he answered me at all. But I do remember the comments. And while I am keenly aware of this, I suppose in the moment of my mild but noticeable artist tantrum I had forgotten one important and unfortunate fortunate truth. That people can sell a product for whatever price other people are willing to pay for it – and in our culture, who are you, or I to say otherwise? It’s just a fact, that if he wants to sell his

painting for that price, and someone is more then happy or willing to appreciate that art for that price – then who the heck am I to stand in their way.

And there in lies the rub. AI tattoo designs can and will be used in the future of tattooing, I predict. I don’t like it, but it is what it is. If a client and a tattooer are both aware of the use of the AI design and the client is okay with having AI art tattooed on them – in our culture and current time and space, it’s difficult to stand in the way of two consenting adults.

However, my concerns lie in the transparency of the tattoo industry about use of AI in the designs and the pricing of those AI designs tattooed on the client. Does the real skilled artist suffer both monetary? Does AI ultimately hurt the tattooing industry? Does AI take from the human client and artist experience?