
Intro: What AI does
By now, you are aware that I am really into working with machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. I use them for various creative projects. And that is why in this post, I want to dig deeper into what these tools can do for artists, musicians, and writers.
To write my third novel, I thought I would need to live in Antarctica for a full summer season to experience the unique constraints of living on a remote island in the Southern Ocean. Instead of moving, I used the research on the harsh climate of Antarctica to create the world of the story.
For example, I designed skincare products and clothing for my main character. And after sketching the habitat on paper, I used ChatGPT to render a complete list of corporate partners and their products which would help run the habitat. You may have already seen the visual render of the habitat in a previous post. One tiny detail was that I generated a cleaning task roster after calculating the area of the corridors inside the habitat. It’s a tiny detail which helps events unfold later in the story.

I know that some of you are worried that AI tools will be used to create junk, steal your ideas, and print tons of bad copies. According to the nonprofit, Centre for AI Safety, “While AI has many beneficial applications, it can also be used to perpetuate bias, power autonomous weapons, promote misinformation, and conduct cyberattacks.”
People have been a threat to other people forever, and they won’t stop. The Centre has a free introductory course on machine learning safety. The course can help you understand and mitigate the risks of living in a world that relies more and more on artificial intelligence. However, my belief is that rather than focusing mainly on the risks, you can work to edge junk makers out of relevance by using machine learning software to test ideas.
Artificial intelligence cannot replace the special feelings and experiences that make your creative projects truly unique. If you are willing to try, you can start by finding a balance.
Exploring New Frontiers
AI tools are like having a brainy executive assistant who knows all the latest trends. As a fine artist, I appreciate that people will like trends, but I want to express myself in an authentic way. Therefore, I am reluctant to show any new work because I never know what people will like if it’s not on trend. Creating artwork takes lots of time and by the time I am ready to showcase my work, I have invested a lot of energy into creating it. If someone reacts negatively, I will feel that I have wasted a lot of time.
That’s why I am happy to have access to tools like Bing Image Creator or Stable Diffusion. I can see what my ideas look like before investing the time in starting new projects. Then, to make sure that the artwork has personal relevance, I use it to tell a story.

Humans have been pushing the boundaries of what’s possible since we crawled out of the sea. And we have been venturing into uncharted territories since we walked across continental ice bridges. My hope for the future is to keep working with emerging technologies to stay on the cutting edge of my craft.
Enhancing Creative Processes
It’s great having a creative assistant that’s always wide awake. On a good day, I will have two or three ideas for new stories, artwork or collaborations. By asking the software (Bard, Bing, ChatGPT) to summarise research articles, news stories, or other information, I can reject ideas faster. This would only feel like failure if I had spent hours writing or creating artwork that I never ended up publishing. I am sure that your “draft” and “private” folders tell a similar story.
I have already rejected a dozen ideas for blog posts over the past two months. However, for quite a number of them, I went in the opposite direction of what was suggested by the software. My feelings, opinions, intuition, and writing style make a post uniquely mine. And usually, my analysis goes against what the software would suggest or even approve of.

Machine learning tools aren’t friends or intimate partners. They don’t understand the nuance of passive aggression, nor can they appreciate the protective cover that pettiness provides. I can write subtext into a blog post to send signals to one group of readers while appearing to be neutral to another group. The difference is that now, it takes a shorter time to draft blog posts because I can use the analytical power of language learning models to process vast amounts of data.
Preserving the human touch
While AI software can generate impressive content, it cannot replicate the essence of being human. Your thoughts, experiences, and emotions are what resonate with your audience. Sure, there will be people out there producing junk, but you can do things differently, and infuse your creations with your unique perspectives and feelings. In this way, you will ensure that the human touch remains at the heart of what you create with AI tools.

The ethos of adaptation
Hopefully, as machine learning technologies continue to evolve, more creatives will enjoy a better balance between leisure and work. They will have a safe space to explore potential futures. If you’re a creative, it’s perfectly fine to blend your traditional style with new technologies. Take Prada, for example. They combine old-school clothing factories and skilled dressmakers with machine learning software to design and print fabrics.
In other words, embracing new technologies doesn’t mean you have to change everything. Instead, you can use AI tools to amplify our creative projects. Look around at how businesses, creatives, and brands are embracing innovation, and let their openness inspire you to use advanced tools to amplify your creative ideas.
Outro: Let’s get creative
The integration of AI tools into traditional creative fields is exciting. By seeking balance between AI and human expression, you can unlock its positive potential. As a creative companion, machine learning tools provide inspiration and enhance efficiency. However, the essence of your creativity lies in your thoughts and emotions which software can’t replicate.
Infuse your creations with your thoughts, opinions, and experiences and what you produce will resonate well with your audience. Embrace artificial intelligence while remaining authentic, and you will feel more confident as a creative. Do you feel that you can safely navigate this intersection? If you do, you will see that the fusion of machine learning software and human creativity is an opportunity, and not a threat. Enjoy it and continue creating impactful work.
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