Opinion: AI ushering in free time, legal questions and possibility of creative superpowers

Published in Tulsa World, October 22, 2023.

by Dee Harris

While Siri manages my appointments, Alexa takes care of grocery orders and Roomba keeps my floors spotless, I’ve stumbled upon an unexpected “abundance” of free time. Instead of infinite scrolling, I’ve been contemplating a dystopian fear floating around.

Could artificial intelligence (AI) really replace human creativity, empathy and complex decision-making? How very human, and historic, of me to follow in the thinking of our ancestors who couldn’t imagine moving pictures in a box or computers in our pockets.

While I’m genuinely enthused by AI’s potential to enhance efficiency, automate mundane tasks, offer profound insights and boost productivity, I can also envision humans becoming complacent especially if they feel that their approaches aren’t “good enough,” and they lose the drive to explore novel possibilities and pursue Creating and generating innovative ideas is not a passive activity. When algorithms effortlessly generate compositions that rival Mozart’s masterpieces and paintings reminiscent of Rembrandt’s work in mere seconds, what will stimulate and propel the evolution of human creativity?

Human beings innately possess the capacity for ingenuity and the resilience of the human spirit. This unique characteristic allows us to dream, imagine and draw upon our life experiences to ponder life’s questions.

As we navigate an increasingly automated world, we must proactively nurture our creativity, perpetually seek inspiration and cultivate our unique talents, harnessing an unwavering drive for innovation that transcends the confines of data-driven algorithms.

It’s imperative to emphasize that AI is a tool, not a substitute for human creativity. And creators can, if they choose, embrace this tool to mix into their creative and innovative works.

But make no mistake, the impact of AI on traditional creative industries is profound and could affect the livelihoods of writers, artists and content creators. We must robustly address the potential risks and actively work to mitigate them.

The growing role of AI in content creation has thrust us into a realm of ethical complexities and conundrums, sparking debates on ownership, originality and privacy.Addressing this disruption necessitates a thoughtful approach, one that involves crafting policies that strike a balance between safeguarding intellectual property rights and fostering innovation. We are decades past due in establishing contemporary legal frameworks that cater to our digital landscape.

This might involve revising global copyright and intellectual property laws or encouraging the widespread adoption of Creative Commons licenses.

The goal of this approach is to uphold and elevate human creativity as a fundamental pillar of our society, guaranteeing the rights of creators and promoting the freedom to share and build upon ideas. This will help ensure that the evolving landscape of AI complements rather than impedes the creative expressions that drive cultural progress and innovation on a global scale.

AI can save us time on routine tasks. If we use that time for profound thinking, innovative ideation and imaginative pursuits rather than squandering it, just imagine how we could usher in a creative renaissance, igniting a resurgence of human ingenuity akin to the remarkable leaps of the Renaissance era.The stakes are high if we fail.

We risk descending into a creative void. Our society could become a monotonous assembly line devoid of the artistic and intellectual richness that defines us. Our world would be marked by stagnation, cultural decline and an increasing disconnect from the profound human experiences that fuel our progress.

In failing to prioritize and cultivate our creative potential, we could find ourselves adrift in a sea of technological efficiency and emotional impoverishment.

The future of human thought and creativity is not solely determined by what AI can or cannot do; it hinges on what we, as a society, choose to prioritize. The best outcomes emerge from a harmonious partnership between humans and machines, where each complements the other. By nurturing our creative capacities, cultivating our emotional experiences and embracing AI as a tool, I believe we can thrive in this era of technological progress.

So, the question remains. What will you do with your free time? Squander your hours or develop creative superpowers?