Let this sink in.
Artificial intelligence has been deemed a threat to multiple industries, and now, tattoo experts are saying it’s already left a scar on their industry.
Several designers have copped to using AI software to create elaborate mock-up designs to be etched on humans — a task that was a part of the artist’s creative job.
“It just outperforms people,” tattooer Ziggy Tramdaks told the Wall Street Journal. “AI will take over this industry whether we would like it to or not.”
“You’re essentially cheating,” Matt Doherty, a 41-year-old ink artist in Sicklerville, NJ, told the Journal.
“It’s like doing sports on steroids,” he added.
The meteoric rise in popularity of AI language learning models like ChatGPT has made graphic design work feasible for anyone, even those that aren’t considered tech-savvy.
On many programs, users can simply type descriptive words and watch as AI renders stunningly real images in a matter of minutes — if not quicker.
There may be even a ChatGPT variation oriented specifically for tattoo design together with several similarly pointed programs.
But some tattoo hopefuls consider something so everlasting requires a human touch.
Kaarina Vuorinen, a 30-year-old dental nurse from Helsinki, Finland, recalled that five hours into getting her lower leg tattoo, her artist confessed the design was AI-driven.
“He was sort of proud,” she told WSJ. “I used to be like, in shock. I used to be so disillusioned.”
In other cases where customers embrace AI designs, it’s also setting unrealistic expectations. Tattoo artist Matthew Hatch recalled one patron asking for an AI galaxy design that likely would come out looking like a big bruise.
“There are limitations on what is feasible,” he said.
Let this sink in.
Artificial intelligence has been deemed a threat to multiple industries, and now, tattoo experts are saying it’s already left a scar on their industry.
Several designers have copped to using AI software to create elaborate mock-up designs to be etched on humans — a task that was a part of the artist’s creative job.
“It just outperforms people,” tattooer Ziggy Tramdaks told the Wall Street Journal. “AI will take over this industry whether we would like it to or not.”
“You’re essentially cheating,” Matt Doherty, a 41-year-old ink artist in Sicklerville, NJ, told the Journal.
“It’s like doing sports on steroids,” he added.
The meteoric rise in popularity of AI language learning models like ChatGPT has made graphic design work feasible for anyone, even those that aren’t considered tech-savvy.
On many programs, users can simply type descriptive words and watch as AI renders stunningly real images in a matter of minutes — if not quicker.
There may be even a ChatGPT variation oriented specifically for tattoo design together with several similarly pointed programs.
But some tattoo hopefuls consider something so everlasting requires a human touch.
Kaarina Vuorinen, a 30-year-old dental nurse from Helsinki, Finland, recalled that five hours into getting her lower leg tattoo, her artist confessed the design was AI-driven.
“He was sort of proud,” she told WSJ. “I used to be like, in shock. I used to be so disillusioned.”
In other cases where customers embrace AI designs, it’s also setting unrealistic expectations. Tattoo artist Matthew Hatch recalled one patron asking for an AI galaxy design that likely would come out looking like a big bruise.
“There are limitations on what is feasible,” he said.
