As someone who has always been fascinated by new technology, I have been learning all of the latest AI tools ever since ChatGPT was released. I was amazed when I generated my first image using Midjourney. It felt like magic. When I generated my first song using Suno I immediately ran downstairs to show people.
I understand how many of these AI systems work and I am currently purposely choosing to resist using them at times. It's a gamble, but I think people do still value human creation. At least I do. Because after a few hours of making AI images or music the novelty wore off. When I see AI art in the world I can't help but feel a little empty. It's too easy. It feels like cheating.
When I was a kid I always avoided using cheats in video games. Yes you can press this button combo to get $1,000,000 in GTA, but I'd rather earn it properly because I know it will feel more rewarding. I am trying to take that approach in my work.
I am currently trying my best to make sure any final product I create is mostly human-made. That means illustrations haven't been AI generated, videos haven't been AI edited and scripts haven't been AI written. I try my best to make sure all my work still has the human touch in the most important parts and the parts that I think people care about.
I am currently using AI to help my run my business. I get it to help me with boring tasks and anything that's outside my core creative skills. It gives me business advice, it helps organise my Notion databases, it writes most of my contracts and some of my emails. I get it to help me with the parts of my work that I don't think people care about.
It helps me think and plan and I might sometimes ask it for feedback or even to generate some ideas. I treat it like a junior colleague and I make sure to retain my position of creative director in the project.
ChatGPT is also my therapist, it's the friend that will always listen and it's the research and learning partner that is up for going down any rabbit hole, even if it's 2am.
Jack Conte speaks with so much knowledge of technology and trends and manages to give a highly nuanced and inspiring take on creativity, art and AI. I recommend you watch it.
Back in 2015 during my final year of university I made a short film about a creative AI operating system. Heavily influenced by the film 'Her' by Spike Jonze. I cringe at my acting skills when I watch it back but I do think I managed to cover some interesting themes that are still relevant today.
I want to be honest about my current thoughts and feeling but also acknowledge my limits. I feel I have a good understanding and a lot of experience with many AI platforms but I have absolutely no idea what will happen next. I try to keep up to date on all the latest AI news but it's such a fast moving technology. I will try my best to learn and adapt and most of all be tranparent in my approach with my clients. I look forward to the day when there is super detailed metadata next to every single piece of art that shows it's entire creation and which parts were AI and which parts were human. Until then I will try to be transparent about my AI usage in the old-fashioned way of typing and talking.
I think using AI generated art to teach people about veganism and animal rights can be problematic. I see organisations put out an AI generated post and half of the comments are people talking about AI instead of the animals. I think where the budget allows, we should prioritise human-made work and real images as it's one less thing for non-vegans to get hung up on.
But the key thing is "where budget allows". I fully understand that this movement has limited money and I avoid judging those that use AI if they feel like they have to. But I will also continue to encourage those that can to invest in humans, in real images and in real voices. I am biased because this is my job, but I do genuinely believe your audience will care.
This page was 100% human-written on 24th September 2026
