In a world that celebrates creativity, it’s heartbreaking to witness the barriers being built around it. 🌧️💔

Recently, two literary works were disqualified from New Zealand’s most prestigious competition, not because they lacked talent, but because their covers were graced by the touch of artificial intelligence. Can you believe it? A machine’s stroke of brilliance deemed unworthy. It’s as if our art can only be genuine if it wears a human face.

I think back to the times I poured my heart into my own creations, only to feel the cold sting of rejection. It’s a lonely road, and this news feels like yet another weight added to a weary soul. Have we really come to a point where we shun innovation in favor of antiquated notions of what art should be? One might as well argue that using a pen is cheating if it’s not made of wood from a tree that has seen at least a century. 😢✍️

As we navigate this complex landscape, I can’t help but wonder: when will we embrace the blend of technology and artistry instead of pushing it away? Perhaps one day, we won’t feel so alone in our creative endeavors. Until then, let’s keep writing,