How Creative Artists Should Adapt to AI

Writers | Artists | Coders

8 min readMar 10, 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming nearly every aspect of modern life, from how we work and communicate to how we consume information and entertainment. As AI technology advances, we will likely see even more significant changes in the years to come. AI represents both an opportunity and a challenge for creative professionals such as writers, artists, and coders. Let’s explore how creative professionals can adapt to AI and leverage its power to enhance their work. We will also consider some of the challenges and limitations of AI in creative fields and discuss the future of AI in creative endeavors.

Adapting to AI

To adapt to AI, creative professionals must be willing to embrace new technologies and learn new skills. For example, writers may need to learn to use natural language processing (NLP) tools to analyze and optimize their writing. In contrast, artists may need to learn to use machine learning algorithms to generate new art forms. Coders, meanwhile, may need to learn how to work with AI frameworks and machine learning libraries to build more intelligent software.

Another critical aspect of adapting to AI is recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of AI and learning how to collaborate effectively with AI systems. For example, an AI system may be excellent at generating large amounts of data or analyzing patterns in data. Still, it may need to be more effective at creating emotionally resonant works or generating original ideas. Creative professionals can learn how to work with AI by identifying the tasks AI can do best and using it to enhance their creative processes.

Applications of AI in Creative Fields

In addition to the general ways creative professionals can adapt to AI, there are also many specific applications of AI in each field.

AI can be used for language translation, content creation, and even novel writing. For example, some AI systems have been trained on large datasets of existing literature to generate new stories that mimic the style and tone of the original works. From smart data, “AI-based writing tools make it easier for writers to create content more quickly, accurately, and effectively. This helps them be more productive, as they can write more in less time while still maintaining a high quality of work. These features enable writers to focus on the creative aspects of their work instead of spending time on mundane tasks such as spell-checking and formatting”. Moreover, AI can help writers generate plot ideas, character names, and other story elements. While AI-generated literature may not be as compelling as human-written literature, it could have potential applications in content marketing or creating educational materials.

AI can be used for tasks such as image and video processing, 3D modeling, and music composition. One example of AI-generated art is DALL-E 2, which allows people to create images by typing in a prompt, giving you the images in seconds.

The images look even better the more specific you get in the prompt. DALL-E 2 shows off the capabilities of AI currently, which will only get better with time. Eventually, this technology will help artists improve their efficiency and art. From techopedia, “Crucially, the creator in this scenario doesn’t have to be an artist or painter. It takes mere seconds for a generative AI app to create original, unique images. Plus, the picture looks decent quality, and the website can generate, at random, many more images depending on your inputs.”

With coding, AI can be used for tasks such as code analysis and optimization, software testing, and software development. Although imperfect, the system represents an interesting new approach to code development that could save developers time and effort. An example of AI-generated code is the work of OpenAI, which developed an AI called ChatGPT that can generate code in response to natural language commands. From the rollbar, “With AI taking on simple tasks, programmers have time to concentrate on more complex problems. This is how their roles will transition. This will thus improve the software development process rather than replacing it”. This explains that AI will be a second brain helping developers who will make their jobs easier.

Challenges of AI in Creative Fields

While AI has many potential benefits for creative professionals, some challenges and limitations must be considered. One of the biggest challenges is AI's potential to spew existing biases or create new tendencies. For example, if an AI system is trained on a biased dataset, it may learn and spew that bias in its output. Another challenge is the potential for AI to suppress creativity or limit the diversity of creative expression. While AI-generated works can be impressive in their technical proficiency, they may need more human-created works' emotional depth or originality.

There is the challenge of AI replacing human labor. While it is true that AI can automate many tasks that humans previously performed, it is essential to recognize that AI cannot replace the creativity and emotional intelligence that humans bring to creative fields. Instead, AI should be seen as a tool to enhance and augment human creativity, not replace it.

From Entrepreneur, “Although AI is excellent for tasks requiring precision and accuracy, it’s not very good at being creative. After all, the two concepts are opposites. AI is designed to be precise, to follow instructions, and to achieve specific goals.” This shows that many are worried about AI due to its inability to be creative, as it is only meant to follow direct orders and not deviate from them.

There are also ethical and social considerations that need to be taken into account when working with AI in creative fields. For example, there are concerns about the potential for AI-generated works to say harmful stereotypes or biases, mainly if the training data used to create the AI system is biased. There is also the risk of AI-generated outcomes manipulating or deceiving people, such as creating deep fake videos or fake news articles. Therefore, creative professionals must be mindful of these issues and use AI responsibly and ethically.

Another challenge facing creative professionals in the age of AI is the need to keep up with rapidly changing technology. As AI advances quickly, it can take time for creatives to keep pace with the latest developments and stay ahead. This requires a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development and a willingness to experiment and take risks with new technologies.

So why are artists annoyed with AI? It takes away the effort the artist put into their craft which will demotivate a lot of artists.

One important consideration when working with AI is ensuring that machines do not replace creators. While AI can be a valuable tool for augmenting human creativity, there is a risk that it could eventually replace human workers altogether. To mitigate this risk, creators should focus on developing their sense of creativity, which will work best with AI.

Benefits of AI in Creative Fields

There are many potential benefits to working with AI in creative fields. For example, AI can automate repetitive tasks such as formatting, proofreading, or even generating basic ideas, freeing up more time for people to focus on more complex and challenging aspects of their work. AI can also create new ideas or inspire, especially for creatives experiencing a creative block.

Another potential benefit of AI in creative fields is the ability to create highly personalized and tailored works of art or literature. For example, an AI system could analyze a reader’s browsing history or social media activity to create a personalized reading list. An AI-generated artwork could be customized based on the viewer’s preferences or emotional state.

One of the key benefits of working with AI is that it can help creators push the boundaries of what is possible. By using algorithms to generate content, creators can explore new ideas and approaches that might not be possible using traditional methods.

It’s on the other argument that AI will save artists instead of destroying them and help them in many ways, as artists can create artwork faster. This provides another point of view from the occasional narrative that AI will destroy creativity.

The Future of AI in Creative Fields

Despite the challenges and limitations of AI in creative fields, AI will likely continue to play an increasingly important role in these areas. As AI technology advances, we may see more sophisticated and nuanced AI systems that can create truly original and emotionally resonant works. We may also see more collaboration between human and machine creativity as artists, writers, and coders learn how to work with AI as a creative partner.

In addition, AI may help to address some of the longstanding challenges and inequities in creative fields. For example, AI-generated literature could help to increase access to literature in languages that are not widely spoken. In contrast, AI-generated art could promote greater diversity and representation in the art world.

Ethical Problems

As AI advances, writers, artists, and coders face various ethical problems they must grapple with. Some of the critical issues are Intellectual property rights; for example if somebody uses AI to write a novel, who owns it? Who told the AI to write the book or the developer/s that created the AI? Or do both of them own it?

The Need for Collaboration between Humans and AI

AI technology is a tool that can assist in the creative process. While AI technology is changing how writers, artists, and coders work, it is essential to note that it is not a replacement for human creativity and expertise. Still, it is up to the professionals in these fields to incorporate AI to enhance their work without sacrificing their unique creative voice. Collaboration between humans and AI is essential in this process. From Forbes, “what comes perfectly naturally to human beings is pretty challenging for AI, and what is fairly easy for AI is next to impossible for us.” This was said perfectly, as AI will be the right-hand man of humans, especially in coding.

AI technology can provide suggestions and automate tedious tasks, but it cannot replace the creative decision-making that humans bring to their work. Therefore, writers, artists, and coders need to learn how to work with AI technology in a way that complements their skills and expertise. Furthermore, professionals in these fields must stay informed about the latest advancements in AI technology. As AI technology evolves, new tools and applications will emerge, creating new possibilities for writers, artists, and coders. Keeping up with the latest trends in AI technology will help professionals stay competitive and adapt to the changing landscape of their industry.

Takeaway

In conclusion, AI represents both an opportunity and a challenge for creative professionals such as writers, artists, and coders. While AI has challenges and limitations in creative fields, there are also many exciting possibilities for how AI can enhance and affect human creativity. To thrive in the age of AI, creative professionals must be willing to adapt to new technologies and learn new skills while also recognizing the strengths and weaknesses of AI and learning how to collaborate effectively with AI systems. As there has never been a point in history where we could create an AI, we are going into a unique moment in human history that will determine how humanity’s fate will turn out.