Repurpose AI for enhancing creative freedom?
Done Deal:
Is it time for creatives to let AI handle the boring stuff while they focus on the good stuff? A few Quebec artists and researchers think so. They believe AI could be the key to conquering resource scarcity in the cultural sector. Competence Culture, an organization that recently conducted a study on the subject, stresses the importance of training cultural workers to make the most of this technological advancement.
"Running a live show means pretty much 95% management and 5% creativity," says Dominique Leclerc, a playwright, director, and comedian who co-directs the company Posthumains. Leclerc has been staying alert to the progress of technology – particularly AI – in transforming society.
Leclerc isn't overly jazzed about an AI-dominated world, but she does see the potential for the technology to help small cultural companies like hers, which often teeter on the brink of survival. "I don't see any reason why we wouldn't make use of AI as other businesses do by, for example, helping with grant applications, organizing tours, and scheduling," she says.
It's not that she's ignored AI's potential; she just hasn't had the time to learn how to employ it yet.
Leclerc's sentiments are echoed in data points collected over the years. According to a Statistics Canada analysis, companies in the cultural and artistic sectors were among the most eager to adopt AI in 2024.Altogether, 29.7% of companies in the information and culture sector planned to utilize AI in the upcoming year, and 18.5% of companies in the arts, entertainment, and recreation sector followed suit.
Dave Anctil, a researcher affiliated with the International Observatory on the Social Impacts of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, believes generative AI can enhance teams, expedite processes, and render department-specific knowledge more accessible in all sectors where budget constraints are common.
Inctionary Anctil's words, "When used effectively, these tools can bridge knowledge gaps and accelerate processes in areas where we can’t afford expertise." However, it's essential to understand the risks in terms of data privacy, especially with free versions of these tools.
Enter Olivier Blais, co-founder and vice-president of Moov AI. He perceives AI solutions as interns in disguise. "When provided precise instructions, these tools can help save a great deal of time," he says.
The main hurdle? Plenty of people simply don't know how to use AI. Of the employees surveyed by Competence Culture who aren't using AI, 77% cite a lack of knowledge and training as the reason.
It looks like Competence Culture is taking steps to change that, planning to develop training programs in collaboration with various industry players on various AI-related topics. Nothing like getting a handle on technology to ease those FOMO pangs.
Take it from Dominique Leclerc herself, who suggests replacing ChatGPT with Claude, from the company Anthropic, in her recent theater piece as a more privacy-conscious alternative to AI.
So, should we let the machines handle the small stuff while our creative minds soar? Time (and more informed creatives) will tell.
- Is creative collaboration with AI possible? Absolutely, with ethical considerations in mind.
- How to create ethically with AI? By staying informed, prioritizing transparency, and respecting privacy.
- Utilizing AI can provide benefit to the cultural sector, especially in areas such as grant applications, organizing tours, and scheduling, which can help alleviate resource scarcity.
- To effectively and ethically collaborate with AI, artists and cultural workers should prioritize transparency, respect privacy, and stay informed about advancements in AI technology.
- With proper education and self-development, including training programs on AI-related topics, more individuals in the creative industry can become equipped to take advantage of the possibilities offered by AI to foster personal growth and enhance creativity.
