AI creators embrace tech at conference amid backlash

Creators embracing artificial intelligence in their work gathered at "AI Creator Day" in Los Angeles, largely unfazed by public criticism. The event, hosted by TheWrap and What's Trending at UCLA, showcased AI-generated projects and provided practical tips, with attendees expressing excitement about the technology's potential.

Despite facing backlash for using AI, many creators at the conference focused on how to leverage the tools rather than debating their use. DeStorm Power, a YouTuber with over 3 million subscribers, mentioned ignoring negative comments and focusing on the positive reception of his AI-generated content. Similarly, filmmaker Chris Capel presented his short "Living with a Merman," an idea he had for 20 years but lacked the resources to produce until now.

Attendees viewed the conference as a "safe space" to share their work and discuss the practicalities of AI in content creation. Tools like Seedance, Kling, Midjourney, Nano Banana Pro, ChatGPT, and Claude were frequently cited. While some acknowledged the uncanny valley effect in photorealistic productions, the emphasis remained on human direction and AI as a tool.

Discussions also touched on the inevitability of AI and its impact on jobs. James Douglas of the Interactive Advertising Bureau stressed the importance of transparency with consumers, while Vincent Marcus, an Instagram creator, expressed concern about his voice acting job being replaced by AI and his efforts to prepare for such a future. The overarching sentiment was that creators who do not adapt to AI will be left behind.