Creativity in the Age of AI

“Am I real?”

From books to movies, this question has echoed in countless stories regarding the ethics, wonders, and dangers of machines and artificial intelligence.

These three words strike a melancholic and poignant chord for a reason. Not only do they raise the interesting question of what makes us alive, but they also tap into the inherent loneliness and longing we each have as individuals to matter and be of value.

The question remains a fundamentally human one.

I remember first feeling this particular pang of emotion when Pinocchio asked it in the old Disney movie I watched as a child.

Rewatching the clip also reminded me that the story established conscience  – Pinocchio’s ability to tell right from wrong – as the definition of what it means to be real.

AI’s current presence centerstage has generated a deluge of discourse on what the technology’s impact will be in the coming years.

Although these conversations have gone down many paths, the discussion essentially continues to revolve around the central philosophical question posed above.

How do we define human contribution within a technology that is radically transforming our world in ways we have yet to understand?

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence has raised legitimate concerns regarding job displacement and changing roles. Expectations and standards for what is valuable in the job market have always been inextricably intertwined with advancements in tools and technology. 

There is no doubt we are in the midst of massive change that will affect every role and industry. When combined with the rising cost of living, lack of progress in diversity and equity, worsening climate issues, and deep discontent with the political system and governmental policies, the result is a period of uncertainty.

In all moments of pivotal shifts – whether that be individual, relational, economic, cultural, or societal –  resistance is a manifestation of fear. It is the terror and subsequent reluctance to let go of familiar structures and systems for what is unknown.

Much of the gloom surrounding the conversation around emergent technologies is based on this very human response.

What is being asked of us at this moment is a fundamental change in thinking, a paradigm shift encouraging higher degrees of adaptability, a different understanding of education, a broadening of perspectives and discussion, and a greater acceptance and handling of uncertainty and complex ambiguity. 

The emerging era requires us to ask the right questions.

Rather than disconnecting from what makes us human, this new framework is propelling us to further embrace attributes inherent to humanity. 

Intuition, emotional intelligence, empathy, curiosity, critical and strategic thinking, and nuanced decision-making become ever more vital and sought after because machines lack these very qualities.

Artificial intelligence – like all technology – has its purpose and place. It excels in processing vast amounts of data, executing repetitive tasks, and making decisions based on aggregated information.

The value of integrating AI technology is in the ability to automate, streamline, and efficiently handle mechanical processes which can transform the speed of business development.

But, like all technology, AI’s possibilities are defined by its very limitations including lack of common sense, biased outcomes, and lack of ethical or moral decision-making.

These limitations highlight the indispensability of human creativity and its critical role in amplifying and complementing technological advancements.

The internet democratized access to information, but not intelligence.

AI will democratize access to intelligence, but not creativity.

— Sahil Lavingia (@shl) August 4, 2022

AI is a tool that demands human oversight for navigation, meaning, and purpose.

Human discernment will continue to be necessary for higher level reasoning, decision-making, and dealing with complex ambiguities and relationships.

Without this, the content AI churns out will be like the millions of spammy blogs and debris that have littered the online space since the advent of the Internet. 

When used correctly, however, it can accelerate progress and experimentation, nurture a space where diverse ideas can flourish, and open the door to greater creative innovation.

The difference between the two is the human guiding it.

Oxford defines creativity as “The production of ideas and objects that are both novel or original and worthwhile or appropriate, that is, useful, attractive, meaningful, or correct.” 

As an artist, I have been enormously surprised by how many times people invoke the word “creative” in describing images, music, designs, and art generated by AI. 

Technical creation – meaning the manufacturing of an end product – does not equate to creativity. 

Examples of this would be the iPhone or the Kindle. Would you describe the factory machines automatically producing thousands of those products on a daily basis as creative? 

According to the very definition of creativity, technique (i.e. the means of realization) is simply one component of actualizing human expression.

Skill is the vehicle by which we deliver an idea.

But this is only half the equation for creativity.

The second integral component of creativity is meaning.

A machine may construct an interesting story with a 3-act plot structure, genre elements, character arcs, and an overall cohesive theme in the style of your favorite author.

It may compose a complex symphonic work influenced by Brahms or Mahler or Shostakovich utilizing dozens of orchestral instruments and full of harmonic intricacies.

It may generate an image with shading and composition inspired by Mark Rothko or Ansel Adams.

But producing a result does not equal value or impact. 

Can a machine create a beautiful turn of phrase, a sentence infused with such utter poignancy and profundity in its cadence, rhythm, and layers of meaning that it resonates at the deepest level of your being? 

Can a machine color a musical phrase with such yearning and melancholy that it brings tears to your eyes?

Can it conceptualize innovation? Can it create an original idea – fueled by your own uniquely lived experiences – that challenges conventional thinking, gives birth to new possibilities, and addresses the human condition?

Human vision cannot be replaced. 

A machine can neither see what we are capable of imagining in our mind’s eye nor feel what we sense in the deepest crevices of our beings. 

The right questions, therefore, are not whether AI will be the death of creativity or if machines will replace humans.

Instead, the questions are eternal reflections that remind us of our very humanness: 

Will we be able to differentiate between machine-generated content and human creation? That is, will we be educated enough to discern quality? 

How do we define and articulate what is valuable to humanity?

How do we wield the tools of progress without losing ourselves within them? 

Ultimately, the question becomes:

What is real?

The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.

Albert Einstein

Develop Your Creativity to Leverage AI:

Engage in creative exercises and activities

• Set aside dedicated time every week for creative activities such as painting, dancing, writing, reading, or listening to / playing a musical instrument. Choose activities that stimulate your imagination and light you up.
• Experiment with brainstorming techniques like mind mapping or freewriting to generate new ideas and explore connections.
• Seek out diverse experiences whether that be museums, attending cultural events, or exploring nature to inspire new perspectives.

Cultivate emotional intelligence

• Practice active listening and empathy to understand and connect with others on a deeper level. This enhances your ability to perceive emotions and respond appropriately, which is essential for collaboration and building meaningful relationships.
• Reflect on your own emotions and develop a greater degree of self-awareness. Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, and triggers better enables you to manage emotions effectively.

Continuously learn and adapt

• Embrace challenges and setbacks as learning moments and seek feedback to refine your skills.
• Foster interdisciplinary thinking by exploring diverse subjects and integrating ideas from different domains. If you’re a scientist, dive into art. If you’re an artist, explore physics and mathematical theories. Delve into philosophy, spirituality, ecology, the performing arts, history, culture…whatever challenges you. This broadens your perspective and allows you to approach problems from various angles.

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