If you HATE AI you are missing the point.

This is an open letter to all of my fellow artists. 

AI doesn’t piss you off. It’s not about technology making art; it’s about what the rise of AI says about the value of human creativity—and how easily society discounts it. Like all low-vibration reactions, it’s not hate at the core. It’s fear. And I understand that.  For many of us, art isn’t a job. It’s personal. It’s years of passion, failure, breakthroughs, and relentless effort. AI challenges more than the process; it challenges the artist’s worth. But let’s get one thing straight: our AI story is not that.  You aren’t pissed off. But you might be afraid.  And the cure for that is truth.  So, here’s mine:

Creating the Talking Tarot Deck was an exercise in blending AI with human creativity. 

For 18 months, I poured my soul into creating the Talking Tarot Deck—an interactive tarot deck that fuses human artistry with artificial intelligence. AI didn’t make it easy. In fact, this deck took more effort than my first two decks combined. Why? Because AI isn’t the shortcut people accuse it of. It’s a chisel, not the sculpture. It provides raw material, but turning that into something beautiful takes vision—and work. Generating the raw stock art alone, took well over ten human hours per card, and that was before it could be worked into graphic design or otherwise edited.

It’s easier to search for the perfect stock photo than to generate one that matches the vision in your head. That’s what people don’t understand. AI doesn’t think or dream for you. It’s a tool—like a paintbrush, a camera, or a pen. What you create depends entirely on how you use it.

As artists, we think differently, and that difference matters. Call it left-brain versus right-brain. I call it creativity versus logic. AI in the hands of an artist is like giving two kids crayons: one will scribble, and the other will craft something extraordinary. Same tool, different result. That’s where the magic happens—not in the tech, but in the hands of the creator.

The ethics of AI art demands careful attention. 

Artists worry about their work being exploited. That’s why I’ve taken steps to ensure the Talking Tarot Deck respects copyrights and artistic integrity. Here’s how:

  1. I retain all base art generated by AI. If any artist believes their work influenced the output, I’m open to an honest dialogue.
  2. I conduct reverse image checks to avoid unintentional replication of existing work.
  3. Every piece undergoes significant alteration to ensure originality and avoid replication.
  4. I maintain open communication for concerns about artistic integrity.

The result? Art that’s ethically sound, deeply intentional, and uniquely mine.

AI doesn’t replace artists; but it can amplify their creativity.

AI doesn’t replace the human touch. The Talking Tarot is proof of that. It’s a blend of tradition and technology, creativity and innovation. Using AI required as much—if not more—effort than traditional methods. Because true artistry isn’t about the tool; it’s about the soul behind the work.

The backlash against AI isn’t about fear of the unknown. It’s about fear of being erased in a world that values speed over soul. Art isn’t just something you look at; it’s something you feel. It’s the energy of the creator meeting the heart of the viewer. AI can’t replicate that.

So no, AI isn’t the enemy of art. It’s a tool. A powerful one. But it demands care, respect, and creativity. When wielded responsibly, it doesn’t replace the artist—it amplifies them.  That’s because an artist who uses AI can do things they can’t without it.   Here’s the truth about art and AI: Art is sacred. It’s human. And no matter how advanced AI gets, it will never match the soul of a creator who pours their being into the work.  We are here to remind the world that the artist’s touch is, and always will be, irreplaceable.

Sincerely,
Stephanie Cecchini, Founder of Tarot Skills