The Impending Storm
The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have sent shockwaves through the creative industries, raising profound questions about the future of human artistry. As AI systems become increasingly adept at tasks like text generation, image creation, and even computer programming, the specter of machines displacing human creatives looms large.
“Once AI art’s ethical issues are resolved, and if nothing else changes—I expect that 60-80% of the artist workforce will lose their jobs in the next 2-5 years,” warns Jingna Zhang, an artist and founder of the Cara platform, which aims to support the creative community in the face of AI disruption.
The impact extends far beyond just the visual arts. AI models like GPT-3 and ChatGPT have demonstrated their ability to generate human-like prose, raising concerns that writers could soon face a similar fate. “There are already an untold number of books for sale on Amazon generated by artificial intelligence,” reports Tiffany Yates Martin, a seasoned editor and author.
The Relentless Advance of AI
The rapid progress of machine learning has caught many by surprise. “I expected style replication and high quality generative art to be accessible by 2021. I’m a year off, but I think it’s close enough,” says Zhang, who has been anticipating the rise of AI-generated art for years.
The implications go beyond just the creative workforce. “Once text-to-video is mature and can replace filming and animation, anything between text and final output is fair game. This can mean camera crew, art department, actors, voice actors, storyboard artists, lighting artists, riggers, animators, technical directors, and more,” Zhang explains.
The Shift Towards Automation
The lure of cost-savings and efficiency is driving many industries to embrace AI-generated content. “When AI art is ethically sourced and there are no copyright issues, a good artist can use AI to generate hundreds of options of what’s needed, then do a paintover to drastically change a piece for delivery. Now a 2-week piece would take 4 hours, 3 months becomes 2 days,” Zhang notes.
This shift towards automation extends beyond the arts. “E-commerce companies that shoot daily can save a lot of money this way by hiring just one model instead of 20. When text-to-video is mature and can replace filming and animation, anything between text and final output is fair game,” she adds.
The Ethical Quagmire
The rise of AI-generated content has raised significant ethical concerns, particularly around the use of artists’ work without their consent. “AI art will create an overload of content and we will get more than we could ever dream of consuming. Companies will get to save lots of money by eliminating jobs and roles,” Zhang warns.
The issue of intellectual property rights is a thorny one. “Copyright exists to protect a creator from having their work stolen and profited off from—but in this case, the company only cares about pushing out content to promote their product. There’s no incentive to care if someone else steals their AI generated image or video. They can just make more,” she explains.
The Uncertain Future
The future of the creative industries in the face of AI disruption remains uncertain. While some believe that human artistry will always hold value, others fear a future where creativity becomes commoditized and devalued.
“I look forward to the day when AI art and tools are ethically made and equally beneficial to everyone, but it’s an entirely separate issue from the job loss that workers in creative industries will need to experience first,” Zhang says.
Adapting to the New Normal
For creatives, the key may lie in adapting and evolving their skills. “As an art director, I commission artists. Concept illustrations can take 1-2 weeks, complex pieces 1-3 months. When AI art is ethically sourced and there are no copyright issues, a good artist can use AI to generate hundreds of options of what’s needed, then do a paintover to drastically change a piece for delivery,” Zhang explains.
Similarly, writers may need to find new ways to leverage AI tools while maintaining their unique voice and creative vision. “Copywriters are now skippable, because ChatGPT can replace them in many instances. But the best and biggest names will be safe for a while,” Zhang notes.
Preserving the Human Touch
Despite the rise of AI-generated content, many believe that there will always be a demand for the unique qualities that human artists and creatives bring to the table.
“Human-made art will survive—on a smaller scale. It will likely become a niche like what handmade goods are for us today in a world of mass production,” Zhang predicts. “But we’ll need infrastructure, protection, systems, and support in place.”
The key, it seems, will be for creatives to embrace the technological changes while preserving the essence of their craft. As AI continues to evolve, the creative industries must find ways to coexist and even thrive in this new landscape.
Conclusion
The advent of AI-powered content creation has thrown the creative industries into a state of upheaval. While the technology promises increased efficiency and cost-savings, it also threatens to displace a significant portion of the human workforce.
As we navigate this uncertain future, it is crucial for creatives to stay informed, adapt their skills, and advocate for the protection of their intellectual property rights. By embracing the possibilities of AI while preserving the unique qualities of human artistry, the creative industries can chart a course towards a more sustainable and equitable future.
To stay up-to-date on the latest developments in AI and their impact on the creative landscape, be sure to visit IT Fix for ongoing insights and expert analysis.
