How much AI is TOO much?
I have a confession to make: I've been using AI to help create videos for this channel. I use it to help with the books I'm writing as well. Is that a confession? Is that bad? Should I be ashamed? Am I even a creative?
Should I apologize?
I've been thinking about this a lot, lately. I keep harping about wanting a more creative life. Is it really a creative life, if I'm using AI? I think we have to talk about how you're using AI, more than just whether you're using AI at all. I know, there are others who would disagree. They would say, that once you use AI at all, it is no longer a human endeavor. Okay. I get that. I just don't agree.
How much you use AI, or even just how you used it, is a big deal, for me. If you're just prompting AI to create images, or complete videos, or college papers, or work emails, then maybe that's too much. For me, it would be. At that point, there is still some creativity, there. It's a bit like being a programmer; you're telling a computer what to render&emdash; you're just telling it in your native tongue, instead of learning C, or HTML. (Wow! That's a big jump)
Am I still a creative?
So where's the line? At what point is what I'm building not creative? For me, if I cam up with a detailed prompt; then I created that. But does that make the generated stuff my creation or AI's? Sure, I can capitalist-lawyer-ize it away and say, "AI isn't a person, so it doesn't have a capital stake in the work-product."
But that's not the point. I don't give a SH!T about the money. Am I still "a creative"? I would say, "no" if I just prompt AI and publish the result. Even though I agree that there is some creativity in coming up with the prompt in the first place. But if someone that did that called themselves "a creative", I might disagree somewhat.
What about "The Craft"?
This is where I get stuck. I am a drummer. I'm as good as any mediocre drummer in my neighborhood (I think). But it has taken years of practice, learning songs, playing with other people, and even a few lessons here and there. But when I see Larnell Lewis playing drums, I have more respect for him, knowing what kind of work must've gone into getting that good. So when I say, "I'm writing a sci-fi book trilogy.", I mean I'm writing them.
I use the AI mostly for a first-line editor, to name shit with sci-fi names, and to get me unstuck (i.e. I've set too good a trap for my character, and can't figure out how they'll survive). It can also be helpful when youo give is a draft and say, "This line feels... forced or out-of-place. I was trying to convey this, can you rework that line?" It is as good at that stuff as any mediocre writer on my block.
The thing is: I'm cognizant of the fact that I am not a great writer. My grammar, punctuation, and tone are sometimes atrocious. I know all that, and don't want to disrespect those people who majored in English, toiled writing their first novel. I love those people. They are story-tellers. I'm just doing mine without an English degree.
What do YOU think? When is it no longer art? What's you're threshold? Am I cheating?
P.S. Ironically, I wrote all of this by hand and rejected all the suggestions from AI. 😄
(Is it ironic? I still have trouble with that.)