Resolution: Creatives Before GenAI
The following resolution was passed by Tech Action on January 23rd, 2026 regarding the use of GenAI tools in NYC-DSA. The resolution passed with 83% in favor and 17% against the resolution.
Introduction
As is detailed in the national DSA policy R02: No AI Images!, Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) models are trained using the works of artists, musicians, authors, and many more creatives. The vast majority of these creators did not consent to have their work being used in training AI and most importantly they were not fairly compensated for their work. This represents a massive transfer of wealth from the working-class to tech billionaires.
By using Generative AI to create images, creative texts, or music, DSA would be condoning digital exploitation of labor in at least four ways:
- Extractive nature of underpaid workers abroad annotating data for AI ingestion
- Uncompensated artists locally whose work is being stolen
- Labor across all sectors laid off under the guise of improved “productivity” through AI
- Exploitative working conditions in chip manufacturing that make AI infrastructure possible
The data center infrastructure required by AI extends past labor exploitation and infringes on our right to an affordable and environmentally sustainable future.
Upstate New Yorkers saw an $82-164 yearly increase in electric bills due to data centers prior to the crypto moratorium1. Electric grid researchers are predicting an 8% increase in electric bills nationwide in the next five years due to data centers; regionally, this number climbs to 25%2.
Tonawanda Seneca Nation and the residents of Genesee County in western NY are seeing the STAMP data center built against their will with half a billion dollars in tax breaks3. They’re fighting to protect the neighboring wildlife reserves from the known air and noise pollution that comes with datacenters.
From STAMP to Memphis, Tennessee5 to over-exploited workers abroad, it’s clear that the negative effects of AI infrastructure falls heaviest on indigenous, black, and working-class communities. This is the pattern of environmental racism that the AI machine accelerates.
The AI industry cannot exist without the exploitation of labor, energy, and environment. By voting for this resolution, NYC-DSA members stand in solidarity with the exploited and not the exploiters.
Resolution Text
Whereas, Generative AI models are trained off of samples of real artists work without consent or compensation for the artist’s labor.
Whereas, the training of AI models relies on exploitative labor practices, including underpaid data workers in the Global South who perform content moderation and data cleaning under harmful working conditions.
Whereas, Generative AI requires enormous energy use that undermines climate goals and delays our adoption of public renewables.
Whereas, Generative AI is environmentally harmful and disproportionately impacting Indigenous communities, communities of color, and working-class neighborhoods.
Whereas, the AI industry concentrates wealth and power in the hands of tech billionaires while displacing workers across multiple sectors without providing adequate support or retraining;
Whereas, reliance on AI-generated content undermines the development of human creative skills and devalues human artistic expression;
Be it therefore resolved, text, artwork, music or video using generative AI models to create new content (eg Midjourney or Chat GPT) for any DSA purpose is prohibited. Generative AI includes but is not limited to large language models (LLMs), image generation models, audio generation models, and video generation models that create new content based on prompts. AI-assistance such as tools for background removal, spell-checking, grammar correction, assisting with tedious and routine tasks, accessibility tools (such as automated captioning or transcription), or prompts used for the purpose of brainstorming are not prohibited; however, such tools shall not be used as a replacement for the creative work of an artist or designer to create new content;
Be it further resolved, this includes, but is not limited to, any internal communication to members, branches or chapters by NYC-DSA staff, national leadership, or members donating their labor on behalf of a NYC-DSA. This includes any internal communications platforms; marketing or fundraising materials; websites; social media; swag or DSA store items; and any graphics or designs provided by NYC-DSA for use by its branches or members;
Be it further resolved, NYC-DSA shall not promote or recommend the use of AI generated text, music, art, audio, video or any other form of creative work for any purpose, and shall actively discourage its use among branches;
Be it further resolved, NYC-DSA will educate members about the harms of generative AI and provide resources for identifying AI-generated content, while promoting awareness of ethical alternatives.
Be it further resolved, NYC-DSA will to the greatest extent possible clearly identify content outputs made by Gen AI.
Be it further resolved, this policy shall be reviewed annually by the Tech Action Working Group in consultation with relevant committees to assess its effectiveness and make necessary updates; and
Be it finally resolved, NYC-DSA Steering Committee, Citywide Leadership Committee, and all Organizing Committees are prohibited from using or promoting AI-generated content of any kind in any communication to members or the public;
Sources
-
When Cryptomining Comes to Town: High Electricity-Use Spillovers to the Local Economy, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3779720
-
Electricity Grid Impacts of Rising Demand from Data Centers and Cryptocurrency Mining Operations, https://energy.cmu.edu/_files/documents/electricity-grid-impacts-of-rising-demand-from-data-centers-and-cryptocurrency-mining-operations.pdf
-
STOP STAMP, save Tonawanda and wildlife, Rochester Beacon, https://rochesterbeacon.com/2024/02/07/stop-stamp-save-tonawanda-and-wildlife/
-
Elon Musk’s A.I. Company Faces Lawsuit Over Gas-Burning Turbines, New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/climate/naacp-musk-xai-supercomputer-lawsuit.html?smid=nytcore-android-share