AI/LLM Policy

This policy applies equally and indefinitely to all products and services produced and/or owned by Ocean Scribe Publishing or Tim White Writing, both of which are DBA names of ATW Enterprises LLC. Throughout this page, “my work” includes and is defined as any and all text, images, audio files, video files, digital assets, or physical assets, published or unpublished, public or private, which either constitute a product or service that I offer for sale or are used to describe, distribute, or market such products and services. It includes but is not limited to books, articles, essays, marketing copy, emails, printed newsletters, flyers, and all similar material.

I do not use generative artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLMs), or any similar technology to create text, images, audio, or video that appears in or in relation to any of my work. I occasionally use such technologies for research or data analysis only.

No publisher to whom I grant or transfer any right to publish my work may edit or alter the work itself with any AI or LLM technology for any purpose. Such publishers may, at their discretion, use AI or LLM text or images in or in relation to their publications so long as such content is wholly separate from my work.

I do not allow any of my work to be uploaded or transmitted to any AI or LLM system (or any similar technology) without written consent from me (which I will never provide to anyone for any purpose). If and to the extent that the laws of the United States of America permit criminal prosecution and/or civil litigation against any party who uploads or transmits any of my work to any AI or LLM or similar system, I reserve the right to pursue such action. All aspects of this policy also apply internationally to the extent permissible by applicable law. By receiving, viewing, purchasing, downloading, or otherwise accessing any of my work in any form, you agree not to transmit any part of it to or through any AI or LLM system for any purpose.

Although I do not currently have a written policy with respect to my clients’ use of AI/LLM technology, I strongly encourage all clients to avoid the use of such technology in relation to any aspect of our working relationship except for research or data analysis. I reserve the right to amend or cancel any project or work agreement at any time if, at my sole discretion, a client’s use of such technology becomes detrimental to our working relationship.

This policy overrides and supersedes any AI content policy of any third-party platform that may host, sell, or distribute my work.

On April 27, 2024, I was contacted by an independent artist with whom I had no prior relationship. This artist told me that all of the artwork I had commissioned in relation to The Nightmare Machine was created with the use of generative AI. Given that I had made written agreements with the artist who did that work—agreements that explicitly prohibited the use of generative AI—I took this allegation very seriously.

Over the following three days, I consulted a total of six independent artists, none of whom I had met before then. All six agreed unanimously that all of the artwork in question was created with generative AI. In addition to six professional artists, I also consulted four hobbyists, each of whom had spent hundreds or thousands of hours experimenting with generative AI to create images. There, too, the consensus was unanimous: All of my Nightmare Machine artwork was undoubtedly created with generative AI.

Before I go any further, let me reiterate my position on AI-generated images. It has never been my position that no one should use generative AI to create images. I do not accept AI-generated images for use in my professional work, and I think that artists do themselves more harm than good if they choose to use AI in lieu of developing their own skills, but I have never attempted to dictate to anyone else that they should not or must not use AI.

The core issue here is not the use of AI. The core issue is dishonesty. If others want to create or consume AI-generated content, that is absolutely their prerogative, but no one may intentionally misrepresent or conceal the use of AI.

This “artist’s” deception put me in a very difficult position. I invested a considerable amount of money to print books and create other materials that featured artwork that was sold to me under false pretenses. I also signed contracts with partners and distributors affirming that the artwork I submit to them is not created with AI; I had to contact all of those people, notify them of this problem, and work with them toward finding a solution.

More than a year after I discovered this problem, I was able to commission new artwork by the exquisitely talented Jon Wos, who has been painting by hand far longer than AI has existed. I then destroyed all remaining copies in my possession that featured AI imagery; very few remain in circulation today. (If you have one, please contact me; I’ll send you a replacement copy with real artwork and even pay for the return shipping on your existing copy.)

Thank you for your support and your understanding. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

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