A growing group of young people is rejecting generative AI, calling themselves “AI vegans”.
Art contest sparks conflict
The movement gained traction after a gaming art contest accepted an AI-generated entry, leaving 21-year-old Bella feeling undermined. She said competing with machine-made work felt humiliating and morally wrong, adding that using such tools betrayed years of artistic training.
Ethics drive rising rebellion
Many members argue that generative systems rely on scraped material that fuels exploitation. Online communities opposing AI have grown quickly, drawing tens of thousands who question the industry’s environmental and ethical impact. Studies showing high water use and energy demands add urgency to their stance.
Global voices join the debate
Young people from across Europe say AI steals creative work, violates privacy, and strengthens damaging labour patterns. Some fear it weakens critical thinking, citing research suggesting reduced brain engagement in people who rely on chatbots to write.
Concerns over mental impact
Researchers warn that reduced ownership of AI-produced text could become dangerous in real-world decision-making. Young abstainers say chatbots often flatter users and reinforce poor reasoning, which they see as worrying in an already distracted digital world.
Avoiding AI is increasingly hard
Staying clear of generative tools is difficult as universities, employers, and creatives rapidly adopt them. Some report tensions with family or colleagues who embrace the convenience. Others struggle with tools that produce distorted images or uncanny animations.
Calls for stricter rules
While some want generative AI banned, others argue it could be ethical with clean data practices and fair labour standards. Some researchers support age limits similar to social media restrictions.
Reality still matters
Despite the technology’s growth, abstainers say genuine human creativity remains richer, deeper, and far harder to replicate.
