- PrettyChill ◉ by Jef Quin
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- The state of the artist (in an AI world)
First, it’s been a while. My apologies!
Or as we say in Japan — hisashiburi! (long time no see)
I’ve been trying to wrap my head around what’s next for me, my content and everyone else who’s doing the same thing.
I suppose I could’ve kept you in the loop better. So I’ll start doing that now.
You see, I’ve been plagued with a question (like you and so many others):
What is the role of the artistic, multi-passionate, content creating human in an AI world? Are we less — or more — important?
Luckily, the answers I’m finding (in all my AI tinkering and researching) are painting a bright future for creators, solopreneurs and artists.
(I’m an optimist at heart, you should know)
But even without my happy-go-lucky bias, I’m finding that AI is not replacing anything (except meh content and lazy ideas).
Actually, it’s pushing me into creative hyperdrive.
As if I wasn’t juggling too many projects before, now I have more interests and paths to pursue. But AI is letting me do more (and more creatively) in less time.
The road ahead is looking more like a blank canvas — a blank canvas without any technical barriers of entry.
Free range creativity — where the only thing holding you back from making literally ANYTHING is your creativity and willingness to open up a new AI chat and start a brainstorming session.
Right now, on top of my other creative ventures, I’m building custom apps, software, tools and Chrome extensions.
Like — what!?
I’m not a coder, but I’ve always been fascinated. And AI is letting me tap into this superpower. I just need to show up with my creativity.
Because here’s the truth.
The knowledge economy (any brand built on copy-and-paste, general knowledge alone) is on the outs. It’s pretty much dead.
Here’s the litmus test:
Can an AI overview or ChatGPT answer this well enough? If so, it’s not likely to build brand or anything terribly meaningful.
So all these twists and turns and aha! moments (mixed with plenty of frustrating ones too) have led me to some conclusions — a collection of insights (some borrowed, some distorted) about the state of the artist and the future of creativity:
The more firsthand experience you collect, the less AI can touch you
Put another way, keep doing more cool shit — LLMs don’t pull data from human life experiences (plus, new experiences spark creativity)
Automate what you hate — always keep what you love
The things you’re best at and love the most are your freaking superpowers — like tickets to authenticity — so keep those; but let AI or automations take over the BS parts of a workflow
Regurgitated information is forgettable
People want real stories, raw and unedited moments, unfiltered hot takes; regurgitated information (i.e., not adding ‘you’ into the mix) lacks personality, authenticity or emotion — AI does this well (summarizing existing datasets); so the quickest path to novelty, I’ve found, is infusing yourself (truly and fully) into whatever it is you’re making — I’m still sharpening this skill…takes clarity, confidence and self-awareness
The ability to waste time is a status play
Hustle culture be damned, the new creative, post-luxury lifestyle flex is the ability to waste time and do what you want; spend time with friends, travel slow, smell some roses — this is the goal, AI gets us there
Being multi-passionate is a superpower
Becoming a top 1% expert in a singular thing is risky business (you’re one disruption and half a clever AI agent away from replacement); but layering many skills and passions on top of each other? Now THAT makes you irreplaceable (even if you’re just in the top 5 or 10% of those skills)
As we move into full adoption of AI (not just in the creative spaces, but everywhere), it’s more important than ever to learn it and leverage it.
Why? Because, done right, it frees you up to do whatever you want — to build whatever you want. Enter super creator mode.
The future is easier and offers more balance, creative opportunities (without technical barriers) and more happiness (to do what you want).
Again, it’s a true post-luxury lifestyle, with the ability and status to waste time with happy intention and good friends.
Goodbye hustler culture, hello artist oasis.
Imagine just 5 years ago. The idea of trying to do (to be) many things was seen as scattered and lacking focus. Now it’s in the zeitgeist and can be a serious differentiator.
When it comes to the state of the artist in an AI world, I say hire AI as your assistant. Then, go out and build literally whatever you want.
Work smarter not harder.
Go travel, fall in love and do human things. Gain unique experiences and infuse them into your stories.
Even if creations are faceless, AI cannot replace that.
I don’t know what’s next, but I’m feeling pretty positive.
Everything is collapsing into passion-led living. And AI is letting me do it (all).
Later ✌️
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