Artificial intelligence could spell our demise, yet surprisingly, not through the destruction of robots.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various sectors, including the creative industry, where traditional jobs for authors and artists are undergoing significant changes.
AI technologies, such as generative models, can now produce written content, translate languages, create art, and perform other creative tasks, putting jobs like writers, translators, and artists at risk of automation. Employers are increasingly turning to AI tools to enhance productivity, leading to hiring slowdowns and workforce reductions in these fields[1].
The impact of AI is complex and nuanced. While it may eliminate or change entry-level white-collar roles, it also creates new categories of jobs that require human judgment, curation, and collaboration with AI tools[5]. The creative sector is affected unevenly across industries, with jobs requiring a blend of domain expertise and AI capabilities growing[5].
The transformation may lead to a reduction in traditional author or artist roles, but it also gives rise to new hybrid roles, such as AI oversight specialists, creative technologists, or digital content curators[5]. As the job landscape for creative professionals shifts, reskilling and a focus on roles that complement rather than compete directly with AI systems becomes essential[1][3][5].
Meanwhile, the rise of AI has also brought about concerns. AI-generated images, including AI knockoffs of real artists' work, are flooding the internet, threatening the economic viability of artists[4]. AI-generated content is often copies of what already exists, to the detriment of real artists[4]. Moreover, AI-generated content is often garish, crude, and overloaded, raising questions about its quality and aesthetic value[4].
In a less tangible sphere, Elon Musk presented a new version of his AI, "Grok," with various animations, including a walking horse made of burning lava. However, The Lava Horse is considered less significant compared to the true AI revolution happening in these less tangible spheres[2].
The use of AI extends beyond the creative industry, finding application in less visible areas such as industry and medicine. The rise of AI has indeed put pressure on traditional jobs for authors and artists, but it also demands adaptation and skill evolution, with new hybrid roles emerging that combine human creativity with AI tools.
References:
- AI and the Future of Work
- Elon Musk Unveils New AI, "Grok," with Bizarre Lava Horse Animation
- The Impact of AI on Creative Jobs
- The Dark Side of AI: How AI is Threatening Artists
- The Impact of AI on the Creative Industry
I'm not going to say that I'm not concerned about the increasing use of artificial-intelligence technology in the creative industry, which can now generate creative content like art, translate languages, and write, potentially putting jobs for artists, writers, and translators at risk. Despite the threats to traditional roles, the transformation also opens up new hybrid roles that require a combination of human creativity and AI capabilities, such as AI oversight specialists, creative technologists, or digital content curators.
