AI & the crochet community
An AI generated image of a Batman Granny from MidJourney
One of the things that makes crochet such a unique and interesting craft is that it can only be done by human hands. While that is still true, advancements in technology have paved the way for the integration of AI imaging, text generation and chatbots into the crochet world. Chat GPT made a big splash and I’ve seen multiple creators making Chat GPT patterns to show how cursed they are. Recently, we have seen a flood of AI generated fiber arts images being shared across social media. I did a video on TikTok breaking down the life sized crochet elephant (and other animals) and how to tell that it is AI. Recently, my friend TransAtlantic Crochet made a video addressing the “Batman Grannies” that have been shared by yarn companies, without them prominently stating that these were AI generated images.
AI is infiltrating our society and it seems like companies are quick to embrace this new technology, despite its flaws. Current evolutions of AI technology are still unable to write crochet patterns as well as a human, so designers aren’t out of a job just yet. However, That doesn’t mean there aren’t dangers both currently and looming over the horizon. Don’t get scared, though, as it isn’t all doom and gloom! There are ways that AI could be used to make a positive impact on the crochet community, and we shouldn’t throw out the baby with the bathwater. Let’s dive into the ways that AI imaging, AI text generation & chatbots can impact the fiber arts community both good and bad.
What is AI anyway?
First, I think we should define some terms. AI imaging refers to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to analyze and manipulate images. AI imaging uses machine learning algorithms to analyze visual data, identify patterns, and make predictions based on that data.
There are several different techniques used in AI imaging, including:
Image Classification: This involves identifying objects or features within an image and categorizing them. For example, an AI algorithm can be trained to classify images of animals based on their species.
Object Detection: This involves detecting and localizing objects within an image. For example, an AI algorithm can be trained to detect the presence of cars in an image and draw bounding boxes around them.
Image Segmentation: This involves dividing an image into smaller segments based on visual similarities. For example, an AI algorithm can be trained to segment an image of a person into different body parts, such as arms, legs, and torso.
Image Generation: This involves using AI algorithms to generate new images based on patterns and features identified in existing images. For example, an AI algorithm can be trained to generate new images of flowers based on patterns identified in existing images of flowers
Now let’s talk about AI that is text based. AI text generation and chatbots are two related technologies that use artificial intelligence (AI), but are slightly different.
AI text generation uses algorithms to analyze patterns in text, predict outcomes and generate responses that mimic the style of content of the original text. This technology is based on a type of machine learning called natural language processing (NLP), which involves analyzing and understanding human language. Essentially, the AI algorithm is trained on a large dataset of text and learns to identify patterns, such as sentence structures, word choices, and context. It then predicts what is most likely to come next and generates that text.
Chatbots, however, are computer programs that are designed to interact with users in natural language. They can be used to answer questions, provide customer service, or even engage in simple conversations. Chatbots use AI algorithms to analyze and understand the user's input, and then generate an appropriate response.
AI’s impact on the crochet community
Okay, Now that we’ve defined some things, let’s talk about crochet. AI imaging, text generation and chatbots have the potential to significantly impact the crochet industry in many ways, some good and some bad. I brainstormed and came up with some examples of what this could look like. However, This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive list of all the possible ways that AI might impact us; It is intended as a starting point for the discussion.
I’ve identified 6 ways that AI could affect the crochet community, Let’s break down how some of those things might look in a little more detail:
1. Generating images, patterns, color combinations and designs
AI algorithms can analyze images of crochet and generate new designs based on the data. This can save artists a significant amount of time and effort, as they no longer have to create new designs from scratch. AI imaging can be used to analyze color schemes and suggest new color combinations that could assist artists to create more visually appealing designs and patterns. Fantastical images that may not be realistic or achievable in the medium of crochet could be used as inspiration for real crochet pieces. AI could also be used to analyze your own crochet portfolio and generate ideas for designs based on your work, helping you to brainstorm when your Cro-jo isn’t flowing.
On the negative side, companies may look to AI instead of employing human crochet artists to design patterns, leading to a devaluation of their labor. As AI images showing fantastical and fully fake crochet items, like life sized elephants, become more widespread, non crocheters may get an unrealistic view of what is possible with crochet. AI imagery is still new and not everyone has been exposed to it. Most people don’t know the difference between a fake AI crocheted item and a real crocheted item. If you don’t know how to spot an AI image, you will be taken in by the often impressive visuals and be unable to tell that this item not only isn’t real, but it also may be physically impossible. This pulls attention away from living crochet artists who are actually doing amazing things. Crochet is a time consuming skill that can take years to master. These fake Batman Grannies, while funny, really detract attention from crochet cosplayers who spend weeks, months or even years hand making every intricate detail of their favorite character. These are the works of art that we should be raising up as a community.
I personally feel that AI generated content can’t fully replace the creativity that humans bring to the table. Even if the technology gets to a point that AI can generate well made patterns without human intervention, idea stagnation will occur without new artists using their own inspiration to make something entirely new and different. This doesn’t mean that everyone will feel the same as I do, including the massive fashion industry or major yarn companies. With the ease of generating content, it may become tempting for companies to rely on AI-generated images and content instead of creating their own. This could lead to a homogenization of the fiber arts community, reducing the diversity and richness of the art world. We have to protect the value of living fiber artists now, while AI is in its infancy. The best way I can think of to do that right now is education.
2. Enhancing Image Quality
AI algorithms can also be used to enhance the quality of images of crochet items. This can help artists showcase their work in a more professional and visually appealing manner, which can attract more customers and increase sales. It could also be used to analyze photos of items and break down how it is made, helping designers to find different ways of constructing items. Algorithms could potentially be used to scan designs for copyright infringement, helping to protect the work of living artists.
However, the downside of this technology is that it may lead to a decrease in the authenticity of crochet items. With the ease of generating images and patterns, it may become challenging for consumers to differentiate between handmade items, AI generated images and machine-made items. This could lead to a decline in the value of handmade items and a decrease in the income of artists who rely on selling handmade items to make a living.
Knitting can be done by machine, but crochet can only be done by hand. It takes time to make crocheted goods, and skill to do it well; That skill deserves to be compensated. If a crocheted top sells for $20 but took 5 hours to create, the person who made it was paid far less than a living wage to create it. Crochet fashion may be popular, but it is resulting in a demand for cheaply produced crochet garments. We have already seen fast fashion companies stealing designs from small creators, and flooding the market with slave wage crochet goods. This has the potential of getting worse with AI. Companies could use image scanning to deconstruct your design and reproduce it, making the process of stealing designs from small creators even easier.
3. Chatbots
Chatbots can help customers find the right products, answer their questions, and provide guidance on how to use the products. They can handle multiple customer inquiries simultaneously, which can significantly improve the efficiency of customer service operations. Chatbots and text generation, like ChatGPT, can also generate crochet patterns, blog posts, product descriptions, and social media posts. The impact of ChatGPT has already started to be felt across society, with companies, students and even average people taking advantage of this new tool.
However, there are some downsides. Currently, the technology isn’t at a level where it can create reliable crochet patterns. The writing style is very rigid and elementary, feeling distinctly not human when read. Because it is just generating text based on the most likely response It can also regularly give you false information, so you need to double check everything it tells you. In the near future, I’m sure the technology will continue to improve and it will become harder to detect its use. This will no doubt increase its use even further, highlighting the importance of AI detection and using your own critical faculty when consuming media.
4. Loss of Creativity and Originality
With the ease of generating content using AI imaging, it may become tempting for companies to rely on AI-generated content instead of creating their own. The more prominent AI art usage becomes, the more likely we are to end up losing creativity & diversity. If AI uses a specific data set to create its images and responses, the answers it provides will always be limited to the information the AI was trained on. If the programmers didn’t use a wide array of images including a diverse selection of people, the AI will be predisposed to portraying specific people, leaving whole groups & culture out entirely. If the AI isn’t trained on new images as time goes by, stagnation will occur and we will start to see diversity be wiped out. This could lead to a homogenization of the art community, reducing the diversity and richness of the art world.
5. Ethical Concerns around Intellectual Property Rights
As previously mentioned, the use of AI-generated content can also lead to ethical concerns around intellectual property rights. With the ease of generating AI images & text, it may become challenging to protect the intellectual property rights of artists and businesses. In January of 2023, 3 artists filed a class action lawsuit against top AI Art generators Stability AI, Midjourney, and DeviantArt. The lawsuit claims the AI companies were using their copyrighted images to train their AI without their consent, or offering compensation.
Text generation and Chatbots put us in a similar boat when it comes to crochet patterns. If the AI is scraping the internet for crochet patterns and using that data to create the user’s request, isn’t it relying on copyrighted works to produce its patterns? Just this week another AI lawsuit was announced. 2 US based authors are suing OpenAI, the makers of ChatGPT, saying the company used their works to train their AI system. It will be interesting to see how the courts handle these cases, and how it will impact AI going forward.
Currently, AI text generators like ChatGPT aren’t skilled enough to create full, coherent & workable crochet patterns. However, with time we will see the technology continue to develop and AI generated crochet patterns will become a thing.
6. Negative Impact on Employment
The increased efficiency of AI text generation could lead to a decrease in job opportunities for humans within the crochet industry. I already discussed the impact of fast fashion on crocheters' wages, but there are further dangers. Bots churning out low quality patterns will degrade the value of real human designers who are creating unique and interesting pieces of art. YT channels like ‘5 minute crafts’ are already churning out low quality art content, flooding the market with terrible content, imagine how bad it can get with AI’s help? Blogs and tutorials have the potential of becoming dominated by bots and AI generated content. Original fiber arts creators won’t be able to compete with the speed at which AI is able to produce low value content. While we may not be at this point just yet, it is looming near on the horizon, and it would be best if we discussed the implications now.
Conclusion
The integration of AI imaging and AI chatbots into crochet has the potential to significantly impact the industry, both positively and negatively. While AI technology can bring benefits such as increased efficiency, improved customer service, and the generation of new patterns and designs, it can also lead to a loss of authenticity, creativity, and originality in the art community. Additionally, the use of AI-generated content can lead to ethical concerns around intellectual property rights, and the use of chatbots can lead to a loss of human interaction and personal touch in customer service.
As the crochet community continues to evolve and integrate AI technology, it is essential to consider the potential impacts and take steps to mitigate any negative effects now. The first step is education, so that we can learn what AI is, how to spot it, and how we can all work together to prevent the negative outcomes before they become more of a problem. By working together and finding a balance between AI technology and human creativity and interaction, we can hopefully ensure the continued growth and success of both. In the meantime, educate yourself and support living fiber artists.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed and maybe learned something new. Feel free to chime in below with your opinions on AI & crochet!
<3
-Graceface Creates
