Procreate’s recent commitment to keeping generative AI out of its products has garnered significant praise from digital creatives. The announcement, made by Procreate CEO James Cuda, emphasized the company’s stance against integrating AI-driven tools into their popular iPad illustration app. Cuda voiced concerns about the negative impact of generative AI on the creative industry, stating, “We’re not going to be introducing any generative AI into our products… I don’t like what it’s doing to artists.”
The creative community’s growing discontent with generative AI stems from two primary concerns: the unauthorized use of their work to train AI models without proper compensation and the potential for widespread adoption of AI to reduce job opportunities for artists. These issues have led some digital illustrators to seek alternatives to platforms like Adobe Photoshop, which have embraced AI tools.
Procreate’s firm stance against generative AI has resonated with many in the creative field, especially as other companies have faced backlash for their handling of AI integration. For instance, Clip Studio Paint, a rival illustration app, was forced to abandon its plans to introduce image-generation features after widespread condemnation from its users. Similarly, companies like Wacom and Wizards of the Coast have issued apologies following criticism for their unintentional use of AI-generated assets.
Even Adobe, which has promoted its Firefly AI models as being trained on licensed or public domain content, has been criticized for its approach. Despite assurances that Adobe does not train AI on user content, the company has struggled to shake off its reputation among creators who feel that their interests have been neglected.
Procreate, by contrast, has been well-received for its user-friendly pricing model — a one-time purchase of $12.99 instead of a subscription — and its expansion into animation and desktop products. The decision to reject generative AI has further solidified its standing among creatives who are concerned about the diminishing availability of alternatives that prioritize human creativity.
As Cuda remarked, “We don’t exactly know where this story’s gonna go, or how it ends, but we believe that we’re on the right path to supporting human creativity.”
Featured Image courtesy of Envato
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