When it comes to the intersection of art and artificial intelligence, most creators are sounding alarms about AI plagiarism machines trained on human work, churning out imitations that threaten originality and livelihoods. But Paul Pope, the Eisner Award-winning cartoonist behind celebrated works like Battling Boy and Heavy Liquid, is looking at the bigger picture. For Pope, the true peril isn’t AI copying his style it’s the looming specter of killer robots.
In a recent interview, Pope shared his nuanced perspective on the AI debate. “People are worried about AI stealing their art, but that’s a symptom, not the disease,” he says. “The real threat is what happens when AI is given agency when it’s put in control of drones, weapons, or surveillance systems. That’s when things get scary.”
While many artists are preoccupied with copyright issues and the ethics of AI-generated art, Pope’s concerns are rooted in the rapid militarization of artificial intelligence. He points to recent developments in autonomous weaponry, such as drones capable of identifying and eliminating targets without human intervention, as evidence that the stakes are far higher than creative plagiarism.
Pope is no stranger to technological disruption. Over his decades-long career, he has embraced digital tools, experimented with new media, and even dabbled in AI-assisted illustration. Still, he believes that true artistry can’t be replicated by algorithms.
“Art is about the human experience—our flaws, our emotions, our stories,” Pope explains. “AI can mimic style, but it can’t capture the soul behind the work. That’s why I’m not losing sleep over AI plagiarism. The audience can tell the difference.”
“Art is about the human experience—our flaws, our emotions, our stories,” Pope explains. “AI can mimic style, but it can’t capture the soul behind the work. That’s why I’m not losing sleep over AI plagiarism. The audience can tell the difference.”
He acknowledges that AI-generated art poses challenges for the industry, especially for emerging artists. However, he urges fellow creators to focus on what makes their work unique: their voice, vision, and humanity.
Pope’s primary concern is the unchecked development of AI-powered weaponry. He references high-profile warnings from tech leaders and scientists, including the late Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk, who have cautioned against the rise of autonomous killing machines.
“We’re at a crossroads,” Pope says. “If we don’t set boundaries now, we could end up in a world where machines make life-and-death decisions. That’s not science fiction anymore it’s happening.”
He calls for greater transparency, regulation, and public debate around the use of AI in military and law enforcement contexts. “Artists, writers, and thinkers have a responsibility to speak up. We can’t just worry about our own work being copied we have to look at the bigger ethical picture.”
Despite his concerns, Pope isn’t anti-technology. He sees AI as a powerful tool for creativity and problem-solving if used responsibly. “Technology is what we make of it. It can help us tell better stories, connect with audiences, and push the boundaries of art. But we have to be vigilant about how it’s used in the real world.”