Why We're Banning AI
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Current Affairs magazine adopts a strict policy against AI-generated text and art.
Current Affairs has adopted one of the strictest anti-AI policies in publishing, banning AI-generated text and illustrations from its magazine. The policy is a response to what the author calls the "slopification of media," where newsrooms like Business Insider and Sports Illustrated have used AI to replace human writers. The magazine, a unionized 501c3 nonprofit, will continue to pay human writers and artists. The policy does not prohibit using AI tools for research or minor tasks like adding textures, but it requires that technology serve workers rather than replace them.
What commenters are saying
Many commenters applauded the policy, noting they have never read AI-written content worth reading and that art loses interest once known to be AI-made. Some argued that banning AI from all parts of the process is shortsighted, but others pointed out the article explicitly allows AI for research and minor tasks. A few defended the Wall Street Journal's publication of an AI-generated op-ed from a billionaire, saying it reflected his genuine opinion and allowed important points to be shared despite his poor writing skills. Others countered that a ghostwriter would have been more appropriate.