Using AI in the SCA: Balancing Tradition and Technology

Welcome to the 21st century, where our love for medieval and renaissance history meets… artificial intelligence! Yes, AI has officially entered the world of the SCA. I enjoy blending the old with the new and AI brings some exciting possibilities. However, there are also a few reasons to be cautious. Here are some thoughts on using AI responsibly within our beloved Society.

A case in point is the first time I used ChatGPT. It was an experiment. I was completely oblivious to how AI worked and didn’t exactly think it through. I asked it to write an award scroll text for “John Smith”, a sword and shield fighter. And I wanted it in the style of Beowulf. Instantly, it replied. My first shock was the speed—it wrote the scroll text in seconds! But then came the second surprise. I realized I had no idea if it really sounded like Beowulf. My knowledge of Old English verse wasn’t up to the task. So, I tried again. This time, I requested something I was more familiar with. I asked, “write it in the style of a 15th-century Scottish patent of arms.”

ChatGPT responded with another text, this time with a blazon for John Smith’s heraldic arms and even a motto. My inner history nerd was fascinated! But then I started to wonder: where did it get all that information? After searching several medieval heraldry sites myself, I finally asked ChatGPT. You won’t believe what it replied: “Wikipedia.” Well, of course!

This little experiment got me thinking. AI is impressive, yes, but it’s only as reliable as its sources. And, as much as AI can be helpful, it’s also important to use it thoughtfully. After practicing and contemplating AI for a year, I have developed several guiding principles for its use in the SCA. They aim to keep our historical community vibrant, accurate, and aligned with our values.

Respect Historical Integrity

The SCA is all about bringing the past to life in ways that feel authentic. So, when using AI, let’s aim to respect the integrity of our time periods. Whether it’s generating research ideas, suggesting period garb designs, or creating historical-sounding scroll text, AI should add to our understanding. It should not distort it.

For instance, if you’re generating text or imagery, ensure it aligns with the style of the period. Think of AI as a great tool for brainstorming. Always cross-check the output with period sources or trusted experts. Think of AI as a helper, not a historian.

Be Transparent About AI Use

If AI has given you a hand, there’s no harm in sharing that. Treat it just as you would if you used a sewing machine or a dremel tool. Being open about it is key to keeping our community authentic and respectful. SCA members put a lot of heart and effort into learning their skills, and transparency helps everyone see that dedication.

For example, if you use AI to help generate ideas or write part of your documentation, mention it. If ChatGPT helped you frame your research or design a scroll, just add a note in your documentation. Transparency builds trust and helps other members understand what AI’s contribution was versus your own hand-crafted skill.

Honor Original Creativity and Craftsmanship

One of the joys of the SCA is learning hands-on skills. We create things with our own two hands. This includes handsewing garb, making our own ink, redacting a medieval recipe, or brewing the perfect period beer. AI can be handy for inspiration or information, but it’s no substitute for the magic of doing it yourself.

If you find yourself tempted to let AI do the heavy lifting, consider using it as a coach instead. AI could help brainstorm your project, but learning the craft and applying the techniques yourself is part of the experience. In other words, let’s keep AI as a sidekick—not the star. After all, you wouldn’t use a dremel for everything, right?

Maintain Fairness in Competitions

AI brings some new challenges to SCA competitions. For example, what happens if one entry has a personally written bardic story while another entry was assisted by AI? What if one entrant had AI write their entire documentation and another created theirs using their home library. These are questions worth considering.

To keep A&S competitions fair, it will be helpful to establish guidelines for AI use in certain categories. Or at least ask entrants to note when they’ve used AI. It’s not about restricting creativity. It ensures everyone is playing on the same field. This respects the skill and authenticity we all value.

Know the Limits (and Biases) of AI

AI is amazing, but it’s also limited, especially when it comes to historical knowledge. AI tools often draw from sources like Wikipedia. This means that what they generate is only as good (and accurate) as the data they pull from. And sometimes, AI can introduce modern biases or misunderstand historical context. And there are things about the SCA Chat GPT doesn’t get at all.

Whenever AI suggests something, take it with a grain of salt and verify. Confirm AI’s information with period-appropriate sources or trusted experts in your field. AI is a handy assistant, but it’s not always historically accurate. It can even make things up at times, so double-checking helps keep things authentic.

Respect Privacy and Ethical Data Use

A little-known fact about AI is that it’s trained on data from all over the internet. This includes content created by others, who may not know their work is being used in this way. That’s why it’s respectful to avoid generating anything that uses specific or copyrighted content without permission.

For SCA members, this means being careful with images. Be cautious with scroll texts or other content we may be tempted to use or share. Whenever possible, source content ethically, giving credit to the original creators if AI brings their work into your project.

Wrapping Up

AI is a fantastic tool when used responsibly, and it has a lot to offer our SCA community. But like any tool, it’s all in how you use it.

To recap: Let’s respect historical integrity by keeping AI true to the period. Stay transparent by sharing when we’ve had a little AI help. Honor the hands-on skills that make the SCA special. Ensure fairness in competitions by setting guidelines. Know the limits and biases of AI. Finally, respect privacy and data ethics to protect the creativity of others.

By following these guiding principles, we can ensure AI serves as a helpful assistant rather than an accidental disruptor. After all, our love for history is about learning. It is also about creating and experiencing together. AI is just another part of that journey.

Thanks for reading, and I’d love to know your thoughts! How do you feel about using AI in your own projects? Please share your experiences, thoughts, or questions in the comment section below. Let’s keep the conversation going as we explore this new technology together!