I'm a Creative, and AI Doesn't Worry Me
Change is inevitable, or so they say. Everyone has experienced it at one time or another as society evolved, technology advanced, and expectations shifted. Yet through it all, the essence of creativity has stayed the same: to share something meaningful.
Every creative person has their own artistic tools. For me, they are words and photographs, and I have spent decades honing my skills with each. But in an age when 'Artificial Intelligence' can generate instant narratives, it's natural to wonder: what use are those skills now?
Fortunately, history can offer perspective. When photography first emerged, many feared it would be the end of painting. But painting didn't disappear; it found a new purpose. I see AI in much the same way. It's disruptive, yes. Unsettling, even. But it's not the end of creativity—far from it. I believe it represents a new opportunity to express creativity.
Of course, that doesn't mean we should ignore AI's ethical challenges. Creatives deserve respect for their work, and their art should not be used to train machines without permission and credit. But we must also accept that change will come regardless. And so, we evolve.
For most of my career, I have avoided becoming part of the story. I've stood behind the lens, behind the words, observing the world without interfering. But now, as machines can craft the narratives that only humans used to share, the thing that sets our work apart is us: the human behind the lens; the voice behind the words. It is time for creatives to step out of the shadows.
That shift to becoming part of the story isn't easy. But it is necessary. In a post-truth world, audiences want more than content. They want to know who created it, why it was created, and what the creator really stands for. Trust and authenticity are what set humans and machines apart.
And so, here lies the opportunity. When used with intention, AI can become an enabler of creativity; a powerful new tool in the kit. It can enhance our work, streamline the mundane, and free up space for deeper creation.
Yes, AI carries risks; we must all be aware of them. However, retreat and denial are not the answers to those risks. Engagement is. Curiosity is.
I'm a creative, and AI doesn't worry me. Because no matter how advanced the tool, it's still just that—a tool. The story will always need a storyteller. And that's where I come in.
