027 - generative AI and human creativity; and 'digital' counterculture

not another article about AI but here I am, with my hot takes.

I try not to talk about tech, but I can’t lie. It’s clear I care about tech, and with the weekly or even daily tech updates that we see, it’s hard to not write about it. So, don’t worry I try not to get into the details too much. But I feel it’s important to raise and highlight positive/ optimistic points of these updates rather than focus on the click baity ones.

Gen-AI and creativity?

Source: IG POST by @1Granary

*Replace Fashion with creativity

Google just recently their Gen-AI tool for their marketing. So, let’s talk about it with the usual concerns of being replaced, aside. Here's my opinion: Gen-AI can be a valuable tool for fostering creativity, pushing the boundaries of work, and generating fresh ideas and more.

Other benefits are how productivity and efficiency will be increased, and interestingly the tool can democratise access to creative tools bringing in more diverse perspectives and innovation. IMO, all this mostly depends on the how. The tool should be seen as a collaborative tool like how Adobe has launched their new tool on their software. Also let’s acknowledge that human creativity is rooted in personal experiences and emotions—something AI obviously lacks. So clearly, the key lies in integrating our experiences with AI to unlock new frontiers of creative expression.

If you don’t agree, or are still scared here are three additional futures by the more legitimate Harvard Business Review for you to go over.

Also read:

• Gen-AI Landscape by Seqouia Capital which “was co-written with GPT-3. GPT-3 did not spit out the entire article, but it was responsible for combating writer’s block, generating entire sentences and paragraphs of text, and brainstorming different use cases for generative AI.”

• And this seem to argue that AI is not to be relied on for strategists,

• How Generative AI will affect the beauty industry (WWD), and fashion,

• Bain Report and Mckinsey on Generative AI and its affect on the marketing landscape.

How does counterculture exist online?

image source: the internet didn’t kill counterculture, but you won’t find it on instagram

WeTransfer just published their report, “Networked Counterculture”, to explore how some creatives break the mould and find success online within the algorithmic guidelines. While online platforms have provided spaces for alternative narratives, dissenting voices, and the formation of networked countercultural movements, it’s been debated if they can truly be represent counterculture. Owned by major corporations, these platforms often co-opt, commodify, and surveil rebellion and dissent.

Realistically, the landscape of digital counterculture has evolved. There are communities that allow for counterculture, that are decentralised and fragmented, and navigate commercialisation and algorithms. The report specifically suggests that the solution to this is the working together or algorithm and artistic truth. Using MSCHF, Corteiz and Sault of examples who “use mass media and capitalism as artistic medium—playing with it, against it, and thus subverting the rules to regain power and agency over the relationship between their work and its audience.”

“I would rather die playing my own game than succeed in playing somebody else’s unwinnable game.”

field notes

• I was today years old when I found this ted talk about THE Adam Driver, titled ‘My journey from marine soldier to actor’. The talk maybe found me, as we constantly try to find meaning in this increasingly confusing world,

• The writers strike is in its 3rd week. Quinta Brunson is in attendance. Also Warner Bros CEO, David Zaslav, was speaking at a commencement speak, when he was heckled by the students about the strike,

• On trends: Head of Global Foresights at Reddit, Matt Klein on how trends have lost all meaning, and read also slow versus fast culture,

• The power of a scientific mindset in the creative world,

• Tiktok-gates explained: But also this week’s gates includes #tattoogate and #couchgate. Just reminding you the following quote from the explained which was the following: So much of society simply doesn’t work, which has us starving for consequences.”,

• A reminder on the importance of gastrodiplomacy,

• also another ‘trend’ i am seeing, people dancing badly badly in front of their partners/ friends/ audience: exhibit a, b & c. While it might not be a new trend, the numbers on these videos don’t lie, cringey, embarrassing, don’t take yourself so seriously dancing is in. So…get loose why don’t you? Record yourself doing it. You might get some views.

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Let me know what you thought of these! Message me, comment and like and share of course. Also if you want to work together for research, let me know!

Also, you’ll receive an additional email this week, just as my field notes was too long, and I had lots of links I wanted to share. Anyways, that’s it for now—ish.