I have been involved in a lot of discussions lately. Many rides to gigs with other artists are on one subject. Many conversations with clients eventually get there.
How is AI impacting your life?
Are you using AI?
How you could you even consider using?
I think I have a rather pragmatic approach to the subject. Like most topics I’m somewhere in the middle. Like so many topics, my biggest issue is the lack of context for most opinions.
- Most don’t truly have a clue what AI is.
- Most don’t have a clue how it can be used today.
- Most don’t have a clue how much it’s already part of our lives.
For some context…
Coming out of 2020 and 2021, my status as a full time working actor has been in flux. So far it has all worked out, but 3-4 years ago I was job hunting, just in case. I brag about being 20 years day job free now, but the road has been bumpy.
When OpenAI first released ChatGPT, I had already published a couple books via KDP. I started thinking, maybe I could publish more books. There were videos about people creating what is now called AI Slop. So I dabbled.
I brainstormed ideas for some paranormal horror genre stories. In many art forms, those fans are always craving new content. They say the only way to make money in indy films is with horror. Consider Blair Witch Project, Paranormal Avtivity and even B shlock like Toxic Avenger.
But I quickly realized, “AI SUCKS!” The output was garbage. BUT in a few weeks, I published my first collection of short stories. I dictated to CHAT my ideas. It kicked out garbage. I rewrote the ideas from scratch. CHAT proofread. Of course, for one story, as I formatted the final book, I mistakenly left an AI comment in. But, every word of every story was mine.
I quickly learned, AI is a great brainstorming partner. You can bounce ideas. Ignore the ego massage with every “That’s a fantastic idea!” and “That’s a profound way of thinking”.
Now I use Gemini, almost daily. I listen to AI podcast, marketing experts on how to implement tools. I teach improv comedy for change management training retreats, incorporating the human side into the tech forward conferences.
TAKEAWAY
I hear all my colleagues. I think of AI the way I thought of MYSPACE in 2003, and then FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, TWITTER, etc. etc, etc.
It’s here. Unless we have a total societal collapse, it’s here to stay. You can educate yourself, learn to use the tools at your disposal, or be left behind. Very few find success today without a little self marketing. A rare few get “discovered” out of auditions, or can piece together enough work. But most still need a “day job” to live the dream.
AI IS CRAP as a content creator, but its better than 50% or more than the crap being created. Artists hate when I say this. But if you consider EVERY piece of content, and EVERY human on the planet, AI is faster and smarter all in than just about ALL of us now. As a technical writer, better than 90%. As a creative writer, better than 80%.
A room of college educated artists will fight me, we are way above average. Failed novelist are still better than AI, but AI is better than the 80-90 of human beings that never even tried to create something original. And its getting better.
You could argue, that it is merely mocking the billions of words inputed from other writers. But at the same time, how is that different than a kid that read some books, saw some films and finally decided to make their first work of art.
Finally, we have a certain level of taste. But how many amazing plays get staged every day that never find an audience. Meanwhile Beethoven 17 sells out at the theater or gets a millions views on Netflix day 1. The average consumer does not have lofty ideals for art.
For 100 years live entertainment has fought to relevant against thee rise of radio, TV and Film. Now big and small screens are repaced by tiny screen in the palm of our hands. The worst comics can come up with 15 seconds of shock humor. 10yos have millions of followers.
In our bubble of artists, folks that love Shakespeare, George Orwell, Jazz, Improv etc we mock that everything is TikTok or Marvel now. The world has seen millions of art snobs come and gone while a few Tom Cruises and DiCaprios thrive.
Like EVEYTHING else I say, while everyone complains, working artists just keep creating.
I use AI daily to save time and help with marketing so I can spend more time performing and teaching. No regrets. No apologies. Now starting day job free year 21.
So move past conjecture and anxiety. Do with all tech what we do on stage. Use story and play to learn and express yourself. Leave the ego and insecurity behind. Ignore the talking points from the hipster brunch scene. You’ll figure out what works for you!
