Essex residents are divided in opinions over AI bots

There are many different forms of AI, and it is used in everyday items such as spam email filters, facial recognition systems and video games.

But concerns have been raised about the newest kind of AI released to the public – generative AI and large language models (LLMs).

These systems are able to respond to any query a human may have, create images and brainstorm ideas

Generative – an AI prompt screen (Image: PA)

LLMs, such as ChatGPT and Claude, scan the internet to retrieve information and regurgitate it in an easy-to-understand way.

Essex residents have mixed opinions on artificial intelligence, with some condemning its pollution of the creation industry, and others embracing its efficiency benefits in work.

Lisa Harding, 54, is the artist behind the Walton Memories Map, a guide to old and new businesses of the town, which was released last year.

But the former marketer was left “disheartened” after overhearing a member of the public saying they could recreate her art with AI instead.

Lisa said: “Hearing that was heart-breaking because I poured my heart and soul into the illustration and I loved the process.

“I spent weeks creating the artwork, but the woman I overheard said AI could do it in less than ten minutes, it’s disheartening.”

Art – Lisa Harding on the Clacton seafront (Image: Lisa Harding)

Over the past month, Lisa has applied for 60 marketing jobs and only received three rejection notices.

She claims it is “impossible to get a job” due to employers using AI to scan applications.

“I’m absolutely terrified of what my future holds.” she said.

“I am generally terrified – a lot of employers use AI to sift through CVs looking for precise keywords – so finding a job is impossible.

“A lot of applications don’t even send rejection notices.

“I have no children, I live alone and I’m single – I have nothing there to help me except universal credit.”

Illustration – Lisa Harding’s artwork including Walton landmarks (Image: Lisa Harding)

When Lisa worked in marketing, she used AI to aid some parts of her job, but she believes AI should be kept far away from the creative industries.

“I do not use AI in my illustrations, I use artist-grade materials with skill I have worked to develop for many years.” she said.

“Some people have taken my images, changed them with AI and tried to pass them off as their own.

“A lot of people ask why I charge for my art when they can just go to AI and make it that way.

“AI allows anyone to make these caricatures, memes and videos and makes people forget there are humans with experience, knowledge, and understanding of other people.

“Human creativity seems to be disappearing for the sake of cost and time.”

Joe Holmes, 24, owner of Tide Shift Marketing, says artificial intelligence will not affect the job market as badly as the public may think.

Marketing – Joe Holmes (Image: Joe Holmes)

“I run a marketing agency that requires a lot of different creative skills to be a part of.

“But it is one of those industries where people say everyone will lose their jobs and AI will be doing everything.

“With AI you can use it as a tool to do things quicker.

“Good AI tools can be used to help employees with things like data analysis.

“Typically, it would be quite a long and manual process that takes up a lot of time but AI can do it faster and allows people to use their human skills.

“If you ask AI to market a product it will tell you how to market it, but a human would ask if the product is ready and is able to see the bigger picture.

Generative – an AI prompt screen (Image: PA)

“AI is only going to get smarter, have access to more data and be more intelligent.

“It will not massively affect the job market – it just means people with AI skills who are able to embrace new technology will succeed.

“Those who are AI illiterate will be the ones to fall behind.

“The new uses of AI is no different to the industrial revolution – I don’t think it’s unfair to say that.”

According to the Office For National Statistics, 41 per cent of adults in the United Kingdom agree that AI will benefit them.

The latest survey was conducted in August 2025 and showed 20 per cent of adults disagreed that AI usage will benefit them, and 39 per cent neither agreed nor disagreed.

An anonymous resident who went to university to get an arts degree has noticed AI being used in everything.

They said: “I see a few independent businesses using AI to make menus, promote special deals, or use it for photos instead of actually photographing their products.

“It’s a shame when I look on Uber Eats for an example; the photos from the menu are either AI generated or from a real image catalogue which won’t represent what you’ll receive.

“I would like to support independent places but I can’t justify giving them custom when they could have anything professionally designed by a local creative.

“I believe a lot of people don’t realise the effect on the environment when generating content.

“AI uses significant amounts of fresh water for cooling data centres and generating electricity.

“It’s impacting global warming and I know some companies are trying to make AI more sustainable but there are more negatives than positives.”

If you would like to share your thoughts on artificial intelligence, please email grace.capel@newsquest.co.uk.