Durham-based Ashley Willerton has worked as a lettering artist for about 12 years, often working with pubs including Town Wall in Newcastle and Bridge Vaults in Sunderland.
While Willerton acknowledges there is a rise in the amount of AI he is seeing, he believes there will always be a demand for independent artists, no matter how much cheaper the alternative is.
“I feel like there’s hope because of that, but there’s also the aspect of hope because I’ve had really amazing clients to this point that have chosen me, when they could have got a much easier solution and potentially cheaper solution,” he says.
Willerton argues establishments which have always “cut corners” will continue to do so, but independent businesses will carry on supporting artists.
“It doesn’t matter how good AI gets, that’s not the point,” Willerton says.
“The point is it will always lack a human touch, it might be technically better than a human can produce, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to be as meaningful.
“It’s not me saying that it’s definitely not going to ruin the industry, but I do have that hope that art has prevailed this long, I just don’t think AI is a big enough match to win.”
