Human Creativity, Authorship and AI: Partners in Innovation
Introduction
I recently caught up with an old acquaintance, and we talked about our work. I mentioned my involvement with Xiang Li Art as a content strategist and blog writer. Her immediate question was whether I use ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot to write my blog posts. My answer was both yes and no. Yes, in the sense that I use Copilot for research purposes as needed, and no, because no AI tool can accurately describe my emotions about a piece of art and put it into words, for example, I could not have asked Copilot to write about my emotions on seeing artist Xiang Li’s creative portraits for the first time or the interesting backstories of the portraits that I heard direclty from the artist and her daughter. That is something only a human can do!
I thought that this reflection on the roles of human creativity and AI in the creative field today deserved a blog post in itself. So here it is!
Why I think AI Tools Won’t Take Away Your Job in the Creative Field, but Will Make Your Role More Valuable
As technology continues to evolve, there’s a growing concern that AI tools might replace human jobs. While this may be true for roles involving repetitive tasks, pattern analysis, data inference etc. in fields that are based on quantitative data (like science, defence etc.), I believe AI tools will mostly complement human roles in the creative field.
AI tools can handle repetitive and time-consuming tasks, freeing up humans to focus on creativity and innovation. For instance, I use Copilot to summarize existing online research, generate initial drafts, and ask for suggestions and ideas. However, I rely on my personal judgment, knowledge, and unique perspective to refine the final output.
Example: When writing a blog post about the history of traditional Chinese art, I might use Copilot to gather information on key movements and artists from history. However, the unique angle I bring to the post, such as my personal interpretation of how artist Xiang Li’s most recent collection of Chinese Empress paintings is rooted in traditional Chinese watercolor technique but is very unique and contemporary with Xiang Li’s distinctive watercolor painting style.
Creating New Content, the Most Critical Step in the Partnership
AI can only draw on patterns and data that already exist online. This means we still need humans to create new digital content and experiences for AI to draw from.
Example: AI tools like ChatGPT or Copilot cannot create an article about your feelings, emotions, and interactions with the artist from an actual physical art exhibition. What AI can do is write a beautifully worded draft for you based on the raw data you provide about your experience at the exhibition. You, as the ‘human writer,’ still have to provide your AI partner with your insights, takeaways, and emotional responses that are unique to you. An AI tool can help you organize your notes and draft a summary, but it cannot write about the personal connection and emotional impact you experienced.
The Human Touch
While AI can assist with many tasks, it lacks the emotional intelligence, empathy, and nuanced understanding that humans bring to their work. Whether it’s crafting a compelling story, designing a beautiful piece of art, or making a critical business decision, the human element is what makes the final product truly special and fit for society. The unique insights and emotional responses that humans bring to a creative, artistic or a humanities project are irreplaceable.
Example: When writing a heartfelt piece about a community art project that brings people together, AI can help with structuring the article and providing background information based on data already available online. However, the empathy and personal anecdotes that make the story resonate with readers come from your own experiences and interactions with the community members.
Conclusion
Rather than fearing AI as a threat to jobs, we should embrace it as a valuable tool that enhances our capabilities. By leveraging AI to handle routine tasks and analyze patterns, we can focus on what we do best: thinking creatively, producing valuable content, making informed decisions, finding new solutions to age-old societal problems, and adding that all-important human touch. We are living in an era of the largest open-source collaboration project the world has ever seen, and we need to make the most of it.