AI in Illustration: A Threat or Just a Tool?

I’ve been reflecting on the rise of AI in illustration and the panic surrounding it. Recently, I saw a post where a woman bought a calendar, and all the images in it were made by AI. Of course, there were many flaws – unclear characters, tree decorations resembling phallic shapes, and much more. The comments were filled with opinions like, “AI, but now an illustrator might be out of a job.”

Here’s the thing – no, they’re not.

People who are okay with using images straight from AI without any editing would never have hired a professional illustrator in the first place. They’d likely go for a quick solution on Fiverr or Upwork, or simply turn to another business. The type of clients who would want to use these raw, unrefined images are the ones we usually avoid – they don’t value the expertise and creativity of professionals.

AI tools can be useful, but they’re not replacing the creativity, skill, and attention to detail that professionals like us bring to the table.