Guest Article by ROSE JOSEPH As creatives, working in a fast-paced environment can be challenging. The pressure to produce quality outputs may sometimes be so overwhelming that it can affect our imaginative spirit, forcing us to take a step back and refuel our creative essence, whether it’s through dedicating time to creative activities or rediscovering the joys of unstructured play to stimulate ideas. In today’s tech-driven world, creatives face an even bigger challenge with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation tools that can pose a risk to job security.
With the rise of technology, many workers may feel that their jobs can be affected by the adoption of innovative tools like AI in the workplace. In fact, Gallup mentioned that 22% of workers in the US worry about technology making their jobs obsolete, with 20% fearing possible layoffs. According to IBM data, 34% of companies already use AI, while 80% of retail executives are expected to adopt AI-powered automation by 2027. But what does this mean for creatives? Will AI take over creative industries? Here’s what you need to know:
AI in the creative industries
Today, generative AI applications like ChatGPT provide a cost-effective way to learn digital skills, generate new ideas, and assist in design processes based on user prompts. Current robotic trend predictions even foresee robots being more intelligent in learning more tasks, with AI robots already being used to promote films. While forecasts also show that humanoid robots aren’t coming for everyone’s job yet, the AI-enabled capabilities that power these robots could still perform the tasks of creatives, including producing realistic images, music, and text. This can impact workers in specific fields within the industry, like music and advertising. But should creatives be worried about their jobs? Here’s what the experts say:
Are creatives in danger?
Feeling anxious about the possibility of AI going after your job is valid. After all, generative AI can also write, produce artwork, and even make videos with little human input. However, experts say that AI exists as a tool to take human innovation to a higher level and not to replace it. Expert insight also says that creativity as a human exercise cannot be easily replicated by AI. A Wattpad and Wakefield Research survey also found that 92% of people want actual humans to get involved in writing and producing books, implying that the efforts poured in by creatives are deemed irreplaceable by many consumers.
Forbes Technology Council member Jean-Baptiste Hironde says that understanding and leveraging AI can help creatives become “more valuable in the eyes of the companies at the forefront of the industry.” Instead of fearing the possibility of AI stealing jobs, creatives can instead work with AI tools to optimize their tasks and improve productivity. According to the International Federation of Robotics, robots complement rather than replace workers. As society continues to evolve and adapt to new technologies, creatives can learn to embrace AI tools to help them remain relevant in the marketplace. Here’s how:
Embracing new technologies
Brushing up on in-demand skills like working with AI or automated tools can help creatives get a leg up in their career. Data shows that 94% of business leaders expect employees to learn new skills, and US workers experienced an 8.6% increase in annual income after enrolling in upskilling programs. Showing commitment to honing your skill set can make you an invaluable asset to your company. AI upskilling courses can also help you learn and master machine learning algorithms that allow you to automate tasks like data visualization, which is beneficial if you’re working in the advertising field. Instead of viewing AI and other emerging technologies as adversaries, creatives can work towards maximizing machine and human capabilities for enhanced productivity in the workplace.
While the rapid rise of AI may seem like a threat to industry workers, experts say that emerging technology can help, rather than replace, creative workers by improving their productivity. Working with AI is also an opportunity for creative workers and companies to maintain a competitive edge in today’s rapidly changing workplace.
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