Taking the artificial out of artificial intelligence
The case for human creativity (and fighting back against exploiting it)
If you’re new to Visi0nary, welcome. I'm your cruise director, Jules, and S.S. Visi0nary is on a journey to explore the latest in the tech and creative worlds.
This week, we’re talking AI and creativity–fact vs. faction, pros vs. cons, and creatives vs. tech. The age of AI represents a new era for creatives. We're seeing the rise of a next-gen creator economy changing how creators and artists interact with their communities. They can share their craft more expansively using emerging technologies like NFTs, web3, and AI.
We must learn to embrace change and quickly work alongside these technological advancements. Human creativity will always conquer AI. However, ignoring technology is not a practical approach. We should see AI as a resource, not a threat. Sounds impossible?
Let’s dive in. 🤿
Fighting the AI Bogeyman 👾
The case against AI in the creative industry is in full force at the writer’s strike in LA. Curbing AI applications in studios is part of protesters’ demands. The strikes are mainly about pay, but the addition of AI speaks to an essential question: what is the value of human creativity?
It’s an idea on the minds of leaders across tech, music, fashion, and more. Former Burberry CEO and Apple Retail SVP Angela Ahrendts views AI as the catalyst for changing leadership priorities. Moira Forbes writes:
“Ahrendts posits that the essence of effective leadership is undergoing a radical shift, with AI supplanting many of the ‘hard’ skills that organizations typically prioritize within the executive ranks. She believes that creatives now have a distinct competitive advantage, because they bring qualitative attributes, such as passion, intuition, and empathy, things machines can’t replace. ‘We are going to be leaning on the creatives to look ahead and to run things,’ she predicts. ‘We need to amplify human attributes in an artificial world.”
At the same time, we shouldn’t overlook the benefits of AI to deliver more creative resources for groups like small business owners. It’s empowered more people to access art and writing tools, whether generating a pithy tweet or a new LinkedIn profile picture.
Canva is an excellent example of this. With more than 15 billion creations on the platform, its new AI tools bring advanced photo editing and generative options to internet users with a simple click. It’s a light-touch way to excite people about creating something new. We should celebrate tech that sparks creativity and supports entrepreneurs.
Why AI will never replace humans 🤖
While tools like Canva are impressive, they aren’t perfect. Even more specialized tools like MidJourney notoriously struggle with human aspects of designs, like faces and text.
We can joke about poor text outputs, but the industry takes the threat seriously. Goldman Sachs predicted up to 300 million jobs could be eliminated due to generative AI-backed automation. While this number may make your skin crawl and send you running for the nearest off-grid cabin in the woods, we have the time and experience to navigate this transition.
AI is one of many obstacles creatives will face. Many believe Van Gogh’s eclectic nature came from lead exposure. The culprit? Lead paint. Layers and layers of lead paint. We’ve preserved through and adapted to toxic pigments, manufactured materials, and the first digital art offerings. AI is simply the next step in our evolution.
Throughout history, art has been a core part of people’s lives. Music, writing, and painting are some of society’s earliest pursuits. Artists are responsible for continuing traditions and establishing new ones through their work. They capture life’s greatest sorrows and most awe-inspiring joys.
I can confidently say that AI doesn’t hold a candle to the talented creatives that inspire me daily. A quote from musician Nick Cave captures the human creativity vs. AI sentiment well:
“It is more a kind of sad, disappointed feeling that there are smart people out there that actually think the artistic act is so mundane that it can be replicated by a machine. I find that insulting.
There’s no earthly reason why we need to invent a technology that can mimic this most beautiful and mysterious creative act. Particularly writing a song. The thing about writing a good song is that it tells you something about yourself you didn’t already know. That’s the thing. You can’t mimic that.”
He’s right. Creatives must receive the respect they deserve, especially now.
How to spot a deep fake 🔎
Last week’s edition focused on how we can collaborate with AI as a source of inspiration and tool to make our lives easier. I want to return to the deep fake topic (in part because I can’t get the AI mashup of “Heart on my Sleeve” out of my head). Authority Magazine recently interviewed me on the deep fake topic. TL;DR: spotting deep fakes takes a level head and a trained eye.
Spotting them is one hurdle; preventing them is another. The music industry should fight back against AI-generated deepfakes. Impersonating or claiming someone else’s content as your own is unfair to artists. Solutions will require cooperation between artists, AI companies, and legal institutions. Inspiration is part of the creative process, but stealing is not.
Each group has different needs and expectations that others should respect. That’s the only way tech and art can progress in peace.
Visi0nary heads to Europe ✈️
After a whirlwind month of U.S. events ranging from NFT.NYC to Consensus, I’m excited to explore the land of tulips and canals as a proud member of the Money 20/20 RiseUp Europe cohort in Amsterdam the first week of June. I’ll join other leaders dedicated to building a better future for payments and tech. If you’re in the area for the event or happen to be biking by, let’s stay in touch!