Scottish artist protests against AI by painting over his own artwork A Scottish artist, well-known for his pop art, has taken a stand against the negative effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the art world. Michael Forbes, based in Black Isle, has a fan base that includes Madonna, Terry Gilliam, and Ricky Gervais. He believes that AI is overwhelming the internet with images and utilizing artists' work without proper recognition. In response, Forbes has "redacted" portions of four paintings, erasing hours of hard work. He expressed his disappointment, saying, "Underneath the black paint is hours of work I'm proud of - in some respects I am absolutely heartbroken. " One of the paintings that suffered from this protest features John Lennon from The Beatles, while another includes US singer Taylor Swift. Forbes specifically mentioned his admiration for Swift and her ongoing battles for ownership of her music. The act of painting over his work with black paint represents his frustration with AI. He explained that a fellow artist's decision to stop sharing art on social media due to AI-related issues inspired him to take action.

Many artists, according to Forbes, are quitting their careers as they feel unable to compete with computer-generated images. Forbes realizes that his protest may not have a significant impact, but he finds solace in being proactive and doing something about the issue. He revealed his disappointment, stating, "I don't want to be an artist so I can paint the best pictures I can and then paint them over in black paint. I'm gutted I've been reduced to this. " While Forbes initially embraced the internet for its potential to connect with global galleries, he now only shares glimpses of his paintings on social media. He invites people to experience the complete pieces in-person at exhibitions. Forbes hails from Dingwall and was an apprentice of the late Pop artist Gerald Laing, who had connections with renowned artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein. Laing set up a home in Kinkell Castle on the Black Isle, not far from Forbes' upbringing. In his work, Forbes often references women's rights campaigns and creates "mash ups" of glamorous Hollywood icons. He also designs posters and other artwork for the Belladrum music festival near Inverness.