Embrace Innovation: Harnessing Creativity in the Age of AI
Written on
Chapter 1: The Evolution of Creative Tools
Creativity has always thrived on new resources and techniques.
When I first began my writing journey at age nine, everything was done by hand. My debut sci-fi narrative spanned 50 pages, filled with handwritten text and illustrations. As a young creator, the thrill of crafting my own sci-fi tale and marrying words with images felt like the ultimate achievement.
Fast forward to age 13, I ventured into typing my stories, culminating in a 36-page sci-fi piece that bore a slight resemblance to Tron (yes, we’re talking 1985). Transitioning to typing enabled me to print my work, making it more accessible and legible (a little confession here — my handwriting leaves much to be desired).
Over the years, I alternated between handwritten and typed creations. Eventually, I completed a manuscript that I sought to publish through traditional avenues. For years, I sent out inquiries to agents and publishing houses with open calls.
The publishing landscape has transformed drastically since then, leading me to explore self-publishing. This journey allowed me to share my work via Amazon and other platforms, turning the dream of seeing my books in print into a reality, even if spotting them in libraries or bookstores remains infrequent.
This transition transformed my role from merely an author to that of an author, publisher, marketer, and, realistically, an entrepreneur (or "authorpreneur"). Although I didn’t embrace this shift immediately, I adapted in time to utilize it for sharing and selling my creative products.
The avenues for expressing creativity have expanded dramatically since my childhood. However, the surge in new options has also incited considerable fear among many creators.
Let's confront the significant issue at hand: the current state of generative AI.
Everywhere you turn, the term AI (Artificial Intelligence) is being thrown around like a scythe through a field of wheat. Numerous tools powered by AI algorithms are being designed to boost efficiency, assist with repetitive tasks, conduct searches, and even manage smart home systems.
More notably, Generative AI has gained traction. Unlike conventional helper AI tools, Generative AI acts as a creator itself. These tools can produce images, generate text, and convert text into visual and video formats, growing in capability every day.
But how is AI learning? Concerns abound that it may be appropriating others' intellectual property (IP), including images, literature, videos, music, and various forms of creative output. There are valid worries that AI might be exploited by those lacking creativity to encroach upon creative jobs and intensify competition in already challenging markets.
Despite the promising yet daunting potential of Generative AI, its effectiveness is ultimately determined by the user. Those lacking creative vision utilizing text-to-image LLMs (Large Language Models) are constrained by their unrefined imaginations. Much like any tool wielded by an inexperienced individual, the results will not resonate broadly.
Generative AI can serve as an invaluable assistant, but its creative output is limited by the user's creativity. Whether it's images, text, videos, or music, a non-artist will achieve no more with Generative AI than a novice carpenter would with saws, hammers, and other trade tools.
Therefore, instead of fearing these new AI technologies, creatives should embrace and learn them to shape their applications.
In the TEDx talk "Don't Fear Failure, Unlock Your Inner Creativity," Don Dodge discusses how embracing creativity can help individuals overcome their fears and unlock their potential.
Driving New Creative Frontiers
The opportunity to master these innovative tools exists for all creatives. In doing so, you become a pivotal force in determining the applications and implications of these technologies.
A lack of diverse perspectives can exacerbate bias within AI systems. Chat GPT, one of the first widely available Generative Writing AI tools, seems to be losing its effectiveness. Why is this the case? The algorithm's learning process is hindered by unskilled inputs, diminishing its capabilities.
While open-source tools are fantastic, they can easily be compromised by users lacking the necessary skills. I've experimented with several other Generative AI platforms that outperform Chat GPT based on my prompts.
It's important to note that AI-generated content should never be used verbatim. Regardless of AI's proficiency in generating responses, human input and refinement are crucial to accurately convey your message. Often, AI writing lacks personality and can be overly formal, making it easy to distinguish from human-created content.
Regrettably, the potential for misuse of these new tools is real. However, the responsibility lies not with the technology but with the user. A hammer can build a house or cause harm; it's all dependent on how it is wielded. The same principle applies to Generative AI.
To date, the efficacy of Generative AI relies heavily on the skill of its users. While its creative potential is impressive, it still requires knowledgeable individuals to harness it effectively.
In the podcast episode "Fear & Creativity," the hosts discuss the intricate relationship between creativity and fear, emphasizing that everyone has the capacity to create art.
The Future of Creativity
I recall the rising popularity of digital art, which many artists feared would threaten their livelihoods. Instead, it spawned new industries.
Technology evolves continuously. I learned audio editing through the painstaking process of using reel-to-reel tape, cutting and splicing to eliminate unwanted segments. This method demanded specialized equipment, training, and a steady hand. One mistake could ruin an entire reel.
Today, digital editing has simplified this process. A computer (or even a tablet) suffices. Everything is digital, and you can visualize the sine wave, selecting and “cutting” the sections you wish to remove. If you err, the UNDO feature seamlessly restores your previous work. This modern approach is significantly less cumbersome than the old methods.
Some argue about the audio quality differences between digital and analog, claiming a loss of "pure" musicality. While I understand this viewpoint, I don’t engage in that debate. Can anyone perform digital audio editing? Absolutely. However, my training gives me an edge over an untrained individual.
Generative AI is simply another avenue for creative expression. If we, as artists, collaborate with it, we can help guide its use and mitigate potential abuses. Moreover, we can leverage these tools to elevate our creative pursuits, unlocking new possibilities and potentials yet to be realized.
Thank you for joining me on this creative journey. I leave you with this question: How are you inspired to become your own creator, in whatever form that may take?
Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | AmazonAuthorPage | Substack
Thank you for reading. I'm Murray "MJ" Blehart, and I write about mindfulness, conscious reality creation, positivity, and my ongoing creative process.