Valuing Human Creativity Over AI
Recently, I was playing around with one of the major artificial intelligence (AI) platforms. I will not say which one, but all of those mostly have the same capabilities. In this case, I tried creating a logo based on a text specification (e.g., creating a silhouette-type logo of some stage play masks). In a few seconds, it managed to do so. Admittedly, I was impressed.
Sadly though, it also dawned on me that AI will definitely put some people out of business. Logo design might cost a few dollars to several million depending on who designs it. Frankly, I have not been impressed with some logos of well-known brands that reputedly cost millions to make, and it is tempting to jump on the AI bandwagon to create a logo in a few seconds.
However, Carolyn Davidson, a student intern designer of the Nike logo, was only paid $35 in 1971 for the early version of the swoosh stripe. Davidson knew Phil Knight, the Portland State University assistant professor who would eventually start Nike. Davidson agreed to a rate of $2 an hour. During later years, when her contribution was finally recognized, she was also given some Nike stock.
It is tempting to look at this from a purely cost perspective, especially for people who run a business. Revenues are limited, and thus we in business are trained to think in terms of maximizing revenue and profits while minimizing costs.
It then becomes easy to think, “Why don’t I just dump the human designer idea and use AI?”
However, I also remember my younger years when I was trying to launch my own business. If people never gave me a break by taking a chance on me, maybe I would not have reached the pinnacle of success. Maybe I would not be where I am today.
If Linda Ronstadt did not hire Don Henley and Glenn Frey as her backup musicians, they would not have formed The Eagles. Humans, not AI, created that timeless lyric that says, “You can check out anytime you want, but you can never leave.”
The Rolling Stone Culture Council is an invitation-only community for Influencers, Innovators and Creatives. Do I qualify?
AI is just a tool. Sometimes if we are in a hurry or we really need to save money, it is okay to use it. But trying to replace all human work with AI will most likely backfire for us in the future. Not just us but society as a whole.
Everyone needs a break. Someone probably gave you a break years ago because you were an unknown quantity. Return that favor to another human. Buy lemonade from a kid with a stand. Pay someone to draw that logo. Hire a singer for your next party. Be happy that you can pay others to practice their craft.
Human society has become richer because of artists like Michaelangelo, Renoir, Beethoven, Bach, Sting, The Eagles and others. They all started as unknowns but eventually gave us art that raised our appreciation for life.
AI cannot do that. On the surface, it might seem that it can, but a bunch of chips running software copying a human is not the same as a human artist struggling with bills and depression who creates something of timeless beauty.
Do not look at life purely from a cost-benefit analysis standpoint. Sometimes an expense taken to help someone out may pay more dividends than something that makes sense on a balance sheet.
Even if AI might save you some money, pay that human artist anyway. Doing that can give you a mental and spiritual return that AI cannot.