Should AI Be Used In Your Game Design? | Ep. 303

What happens when AI can create artwork that’s almost impossible to distinguish from something made by a human? Sean, Donnie, and Jacob dive into the increasingly complicated relationship between AI-generated art and the board game industry. They discuss why publishers are tempted by AI’s speed and lower costs, why portions of the tabletop community remain strongly opposed to it, and whether human-made artwork could actually become more valuable as AI-generated content becomes commonplace. Ultimately, this episode isn't about handing publishers a simple yes-or-no answer on AI. It’s about asking better questions: What role should AI have in your workflow? What do you want your art to communicate? And what kind of creative process do you want behind the product you're asking people to support?    Resources: Exit Through the Gift Shop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VmHFp6AkWo Wendell Berry: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/wendell-berry Marshall McLuhan / Hot and Cold Media: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Understanding_Media Chapters For YouTube:  00:00 – AI Art and the Board Game Industry  00:53 – Why This AI Conversation Matters  03:22 – Jacob’s Background as an Artist  05:56 – How Fast Is AI Art Improving?  08:31 – Will Human-Made Art Become More Valuable?  12:12 – The Return to Physical Experiences  17:04 – Why Handmade Art Feels Different  17:58 – The Risk of Mixing AI and Human Art  20:24 – Why the Creative Struggle Matters  20:51 – AI Art in Board Game Design  23:47 – The Problem With “AI Slop”  24:42 – What Actually Makes Something Art?  28:41 – Art, Craft, and Creative Value  33:25 – Are We Losing Ownership?  37:26 – Convenience vs. the Creative Process  40:18 – AI, Creativity, and Human Identity  44:32 – Why Your Game’s Art Matters  46:26 – Hot vs. Cold Media  49:18 – Creativity Is a Muscle  52:19 – What’s Your Policy on AI?   Connect with Crowdfunding Nerds: Website: https://crowdfundingnerds.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/crowdfundingnerds/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@crowdfundingnerdspodcast