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Generative AI has exploded onto the creative scene, offering tantalising possibilities for image creation. It promises instant art at the push of a button. But as anyone who has spent time with these tools will know, the reality can feel more like feeding a slot machine than commissioning a masterpiece.

You sit there, crafting your prompts, tweaking and refining, hoping it will  deliver the image you have in mind. Occasionally, it happens. That one stunning output stops you in your tracks. But those moments are rare.

For the majority of attempts, you’re stuck pulling the lever, generating image after image that’s close, but not quite right. Maybe the colours are off, the composition feels awkward, or it’s simply not what you envisioned. But you keep trying, convinced that the next spin will deliver your jackpot.

What makes generative AI so captivating is its potential. It can create something amazing — I’ve experienced this myself at times. That promise of perfection is what keeps us coming back. It’s easy to convince yourself that if you just tweak the prompt a little more, or spend a few more credits, you’ll finally get it right.

But this where the comparison to a slot machine becomes uncomfortably apt. Each attempt costs something, whether it’s server credits or time. The more you invest, the more you feel compelled to keep going, unwilling to walk away without achieving your goal. Before you know it, you’ve poured hours — and money — into a pursuit that might have been quicker (and cheaper) with traditional methods.

Even I — famously a spendthrift shunning extravagant waste — have found myself paying for services I wouldn’t ordinarily consider. The allure of generative AI’s potential has a way of making even the most frugal among us loosen our wallets.

The trouble with generative AI is that it is not at all precise. Even with experience, when you learn to craft better prompts and navigate its quirks, consistency remains elusive. Factors beyond your control, like server load, can also affect the quality of results. Some days, it’s like the AI is on a winning streak, churning out gems. Other times, it feels broken, delivering nothing but frustration.

This inconsistency can make you feel powerless. After all, you’re at the mercy of a machine, one whose algorithms are as opaque as its whims. You’re not honing a skill or developing expertise; you’re simply playing the odds.

If this sounds familiar, it might be time to take stock. Generative AI is a tool, not a magic wand. Its outputs can be impressive, but relying on it exclusively can quickly spiral into an unhealthy cycle of diminishing returns. When you step back and evaluate the time, money, and energy spent chasing that perfect image, it’s sobering.

Just as I thought I was coming around to embracing generative AI wholesale, it occurs to me that this pursuit of perfection is, in fact, disrupting my creative equilibrium.

Rather than gambling on algorithms, it would be far better to invest in sustainable creative practices that honour both tradition and innovation. This is mizan: striving for moderation and harmony in all aspects of life, including our creative endeavours.

Without a doubt, generative AI is an incredible innovation. But like any tool, its value depends on how you use it. By setting boundaries and recognising its limitations, perhaps we can avoid the trap of endlessly chasing perfection. Use it as a starting point, a way to spark ideas or experiment with concepts. When it’s not delivering, step away.

The most meaningful creative work emerges from authentic human expression, whether enhanced by AI or crafted by hand alone. As we navigate this technological frontier, success lies not in chasing perfection but in maintaining our creative sovereignty.

Best not to gamble our lives away. If it starts to feel that way, perhaps step back and take stock. I address myself first and foremost, the accidental gambler. Who knew AI would become our latest vice?