The Selection Between 0 and 1: the Ethics of AI-Generated Science Comics

The intervention of artificial intelligence has reshaped the traditional model of producing popular science comics, bringing both new opportunities and challenges. Firstly, the uniqueness of science comics distinguishes them from traditional narrative comics, as their target is only the “correct” scientific theories, not virtual dramatic conflicts. Additionally, the team collaboration involved in science comic production is fundamentally different from that of traditional comics. Secondly, the working mode of AI determines the source of AI-generated images, which is “selection” rather than “creation.” The creative process of AI relies on its vast database, and image generation can only occur by analyzing the input text from the creator and selecting styles and patterns from the database. As a result, this leads to an over-homogenization of the generated content. Finally, in terms of tools, Web UI and Comfy UI, as popular AI image generation tools, demonstrate two distinct ethical models of generation— “tool rationality” and “value rationality”—and two different contexts of application.