Navigating Creativity: AI as a Partner, Not a Solution
In week 7, a guest speaker from Edelman gave a talk on generative AI, and it left a lasting impression on me.
Throughout the session, what resonated with me the most was his emphasis on the importance of considering emotions and feelings when using AI. He explained that these are uniquely human traits, invaluable in creating meaningful interactions. One particularly moving example involved using AI to visualize psychological struggles. Many individuals suffering from mental health conditions, such as autism and bipolar disorder, often find it difficult to fully express their inner pain in words, leaving both them and their loved ones struggling to empathize. AI-generated imagery made this invisible pain more tangible. For instance, a girl described feeling as if she was separated from the world by a glass wall. When AI generated an image based on her description, she burst into tears, as though she had finally seen a reflection of her inner world.
Another moment that stood out was when a woman with depression saw an AI-generated image. Her tear-filled eyes conveyed a deep mix of emotions, and she remarked, "The computer understands what I’m going through better than most people." This made me realize the potential of combining human emotions with generative AI—creating a synergy where the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. If we only relied on human emotional expression, mental health patients might still feel trapped in their loneliness. On the other hand, AI-generated images alone would be mere mechanical outputs. But together, they generate a powerful emotional resonance, giving technology new depth and meaning.
The speaker also shared valuable techniques for interacting with AI. Prior to the talk, my interactions with AI were mostly instinctive—I just described my queries haphazardly without any clear structure. The speaker introduced practical principles for prompt design: prompts should be specific, clear, and refined through multiple iterations. He explained that effective prompts include key elements: role, goal, references, requests, and constraints. This structured approach not only helps AI better understand our needs but also significantly improves the quality of the responses. It made me realize that prompt design is not just a simple Q&A but a communication skill that requires strategy and refinement.
Later in the session, I asked the speaker about using AI to assist in creative work and shared some challenges I’ve faced while running a YouTube channel. I often needed to brainstorm new topics for brands and tried using GPT-4 for creative suggestions, but the results never quite satisfied me. The speaker's response was enlightening: AI, he explained, generates output based on existing data, which limits its ability to produce truly original ideas. Rather than expecting AI to be the source of creativity, we should see it as a tool to connect ideas. It can help uncover connections that might not be immediately apparent, leading to unexpected creativity by rethinking old concepts in new ways. For instance, AI can help identify two seemingly unrelated keywords, and by exploring each separately, we can combine the ideas in ways that may lead to unexpected creativity.
Reflecting on the session, I realize that we often rely on AI, assuming it is a universal solution for all problems. However, over-dependence on AI may diminish creativity and reduce our capacity for independent thinking. Like a muscle, the human brain needs constant exercise to stay sharp. So our attitude toward AI should not be total dependence, but rather to see it as a collaborative partner to enhance creativity, speed, and value. Moving forward, thinking critically about how we work alongside AI in creative projects is something that deserves continuous reflection and practice.
Hey Andi! Thank you for your impressive essay, which really touched my mind. At the very beginning of AI development, we expected AI to do some repetitive mechanical work to save some “meaningless” time waste for human beings, but AI unexpectedly did the creative work now. In my opinion, the most precious ability of humans is “imagination”. However, AI generators for creative content, such as paintings and novels, are squeezing the space for humans to use their imagination. I also remember that the speaker mentioned that there was no necessity to worry about whether AI would kill people’s creation abilities as AI only generates content based on things that already exist. This announcement seemed to make sense at first glance, but literally, we humans are also relying on existing things to create something new! What is different is that AI can handle this process much faster than us.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of attitude towards AI a person holds depends on which social status she or he is in. The speaker claimed his opinions from the perspective of a leader and a businessman, who focuses on integrating the whole business picture and maximising the business value. Nevertheless, as an average individual, who has no ability to control resources or capital, how can we win in the competition between AI and human beings? How can we overcome the instinct for shortcuts of humans? How can policies and regulations chase the fast-developing AI? I believe we eagerly need an answer.
Once again, thank you for expressing what I also want to say.