People have already said most of what I would say, so I’ll be short about this. But the situation where our projects are allowed to be used to train AI models is genuinely absurd. AI is harmful to the environment, generating something can release greenhouse gases. Even then, generative ai is already bad morally and ethically as is. This ESPECIALLY feels unethical. Legally, yes, by posting on scratch, under the Creative Commons stuff, we consent to allowing them to do whatever. But that’s so stupid in my opinion. Scratch is all about encouraging creativity and exploring code, animation, art, but the longer I’m on this site, the more I see it lose these values and just become a cesspool of drama. Kids don’t always have the knowledge to consent to the AI stuff. It’s taking advantage of their target demographic, and I’m tired of seeing the site bringing me and many others nothing but discomfort and fear. This whole thing has me reconsidering if I should leave. I’m tired of everything ive witnessed over my 6 years on scratch. It’s not worth it anymore, it’s not the fun site I remember spending hours upon hours on when I was 11. I do not see myself posting on scratch again if this AI stuff persists. I don’t think I’ll do a whole big goodbye to the site I’ll just. Dwindle. Slowly dwindle away my activity until I forget about this site. Remove it from my bookmarks so I only access it if I think about it. Find me pretty much anywhere under FlurryTheDragonFox.
Edit: the reception on this project has been very good so far, so I’m opening the comments. Be civil please!!! Edit 2: I have heard scratch’s response. I still don’t really like it. Even if they’re just training off code, it brings me unease they’re training models off our work at all. Even if in the end, our art is at no greater risk than it already is in a copyleft space, I don’t wanna be in an environment being ok, and even somewhat encouraging, this much AI. While AI can be helpful, it’s still harmful to the environment. Realistically, we can’t get rid of it. But if it’s gonna stay in our world, it should be used in moderation. That’s my opinion at least. Despite the response from the ST, I still do not feel comfortable posting my artwork here anymore. If my activity fades, it fades. I love you all, genuinely, your support over the years has helped shape my childhood so much.
