AI Is Killing Us — But Art Can Save Us
By Artist, Samuel Thomas.
When I say AI is killing us, I mean it. Not in the dramatic science fiction sense — but in the slow, silent way that strips us of meaning, connection, and purpose.
As an artist who’s spent 17 years crafting vibrant acrylic hand painted pop art, I’ve always believed that true art doesn’t just decorate walls — it speaks, it uplifts, and it reminds us of what makes life worth living. Lately, though, I’ve noticed a dangerous shift in our world. One that affects not only artists, but all of us.
It hit me recently at a coffee shop, of all places. I met someone who said he was also an artist. He showed me his work online, and it looked impressive — until he told me it wasn’t painted. It was a photograph, edited by software to look like a painting. No brushes. No time. No sweat. And he’d only been doing it for two years.
That’s when it struck me: AI isn’t just changing how we create — it’s changing why we create.
For traditional artists like me, the journey and the process is everything. The mistakes, the repetition, the late nights in the studio — they shape not just the art, but the artist. They forge identity, resilience, meaning, and worth. But AI? It offers shortcuts. Instant results. Zero process.
And that’s the problem.
We live in a world increasingly obsessed with speed, convenience, and efficiency. But in cutting corners, we cut away the heart of what makes us human — effort, growth, and mastery.
Beyond the art world, this shift is already hitting other industries. AI is poised to replace millions of jobs. Entire careers could vanish overnight. With that, we risk a rise in depression, restlessness, and hopelessness. We saw glimpses of this during the 2020 lockdowns — imagine that, but permanent.
What we must remember is this: effort matters. Not just for economic reasons, but for spiritual and emotional ones. Whether you’re painting, building, teaching, or learning — the act of doing hard things is what grounds us.
That’s why I continue to create bold, joyful paintings. Not to compete with a machine, but to remind people that human-made beauty still matters. That process still matters. That emotion, imperfection, and soul can’t be replicated by code.
If you’ve ever stood in front of a painting and felt something stir inside — that’s the power of human connection. That’s what we’re at risk of losing.
And maybe that’s why people are connecting with my work more than ever before. Because in a world of instant filters and AI-generated everything, there’s something grounding about a piece that was made from scratch — not clicked.
So yes, AI might be “killing” parts of our culture. But I believe true authentic art can save it.
My hope is that when you hang one of my paintings in your home, it does more than brighten your space — it reconnects you with something deeper. With joy. With creativity. With a vibrant future we still have the power to shape.
We’ve made hard choices before. We decided to regulate cloning. We placed limits on nuclear weapons. Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. AI is not destiny. It’s a tool — and tools need rules. Let’s not forget: we have a choice. We can accept a world that’s fast but soulless. Or we can choose a world that values meaning, effort, and humanity.
I know which one I’m painting.
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Explore Samuel’s latest original artworks at SamuelThomasArt.co.uk
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