AI In The Creative Process: Enhancer Or Inhibitor?

In an effort to be all and do all, in comes Artificial Intelligence. Is it stifling our creativity or a tool used to enhance productivity?

AI (Artificial Intelligence) tools abound these days. Everywhere you turn, Al is taking over. We see it used in email marketing, writing research papers, and even entire books and courses. What happened to using your God-given talents and your brain to develop, create and produce content?

It can be argued that the creatives are just behind the times, since many are leery of repressing their creative juices if they even start with an AI prompt. ChatGPT has hijacked the brainstorming that used to happen in group think tanks and focus groups with a simple prompt. Why wonder what topics to cover when you can simply ask the software to think like a (role) and produce a list of (topics) for a (subject)… wait a few seconds and out comes the list replacing human ingenuity and contact.

Were we created to use a database of past ideas to produce current day products and services? Should we let the software rule the world and your business? Shouldn’t we be proud of something we worked on and poured ourselves into?

Some argue that productivity for the masses will increase because of the AI movement, while the top 1% that’s creative will only see a marginal increase. If you happen to forget how to think, the software will do it for you. Even if you possess exceptional analysis, creativity, and critical thinking skills, AI also covers those areas. Or so they say.

We as humans, uniquely gifted by God, have the ability to use the power within us to formulate ingenious notions. The Holy Spirit prompts us and the Creator downloads ideas to us. A word of wisdom and words of knowledge can’t be contained in a past database that AI references. They are present and future focused. The systems of tomorrow are based on revelations of the past but encompass the forward thinking of treasured vessels that are endowed by God with special talents.

To enhance productivity, one should responsibly utilize the tool of AI, but one should also prioritize putting in the work. King David said in 2 Samuel 24:24 and 1 Chronicles 21:24 that he wouldn’t sacrifice to the Lord an offering that costs him nothing. Shouldn’t we have the same conviction?

Authors are those who write books and articles by formulating their own thoughts. Even Amazon now asks whether the information was AI generated. Colleges and companies are running articles and papers through AI detection software to make sure it’s reflective of the author’s work. Did you really author a book if a 2-3 sentence prompt produced the entire manuscript? Should you pass a class and get a degree if you didn’t conduct the research or write the paper yourself? I think not.

So how can one use AI to their advantage without compromising the creative flow?

Tables/Worksheets

Repetitive administrative tasks are a prime candidate for the effective use of AI tools. Generate a table from the data given. Make a spreadsheet and add zip codes to a list. Even create a PDF or fill-in-the-blank worksheet from a video. If you created the original content, then subsequent documents generated from it are time saving and value added.

Lists

Locating organizations, websites and contacts around a topic is another excellent opportunity to search the database of AI. It’s equivalent to doing a google search (or looking in the phone book years ago). If you are new in an area, finding connections and business opportunities is a key necessary function. AI in a moment can list 20 organizations including their website, phone number and contact person. A blessing to an entrepreneur.

Authors/ Copywriters/Marketing Materials/Solopreneurs

Using AI to generate social posts and enhance copy is beneficial. The caveat is, you should create the content first. Asking AI to rewrite a book blurb, email or author bio is one thing but you must give it your words to start. It is also recommended to review posts to ensure it reflects your voice. Solopreneurs trying to do all things can increase productivity and reduce man hours.

Business owners/ entrepreneurs

Nothing takes the place of talking with your ideal customer to determine their desires. However, asking the software to generate a scenario can be a great start. Giving the context and asking for the emotion, struggles, challenges and desires one may have gets you moving in the right direction. Following up with actual customer interviews is highly encouraged.

Though AI can generate entire courses, this author suggests making them your own. If you are called upon to explain the details without any preparation and you can’t, then it’s not your work. If you have the knowledge and understanding, then maybe the tool was used correctly. Using your brainpower to create topics, subtopics and modules first allows you to generate the solution and framework. Copilot (AI tool) then can enhance your materials.

The conclusion of the matter is this: AI isn’t going anywhere. Lawsuits and fake estimations of one’s capabilities will continue. Your integrity is what counts. Chat with God’s Plan and Time (i.e. pray for direction). The Christian version of ChatGPT. Let God be the pilot and you be the copilot. Better results are in your future.