I have similar reservations about using AI for creative work. But I also have used it quite successfully almost as an assistant (to help me with a schedule, to pare down 100 words into 30, to map out a family vacation, etc). Where is the line? I’m not entirely sure. It’s never written a poem or a song I liked better than my own; it’s always missing the human (Holy Spirit?) element. It is good for us to go through the trouble and the effort of the creative process. But I am also grateful for the ways it has made certain tasks easier for me. Either way, I support your dinosaur stance 🦕
Sarah, thanks for responding so thoughtfully. I know MANY people who use AI to help them manage their small businesses, make their day-to-day tasks easier, and even manage their fitness plans! Heck, my husband used AI last night to help with listing a real estate property! And I definitely see the value in that, and respect when it's used *as a robot* to help with tasks. My real grind is simply when it's replacing creative work or collaborative work, discounting the value of human interaction and spirit. That's where it seems to wade into unethical waters, and where I believe it's important to say, "No further."
I feel the same distinction, but then my spirit wondered — what makes a work creative? Can such mental tasks also be a creative work, and am I missing a human opportunity by outsourcing even those? I’m glad we are thinking about these things, my friend.
Same. So well put, friend! My husband has also used it to troubleshoot/figure out things like our garden beds and how much material we needed to fill them, which I appreciate as was mentioned above in the strictly “robot assistant” sense but still cannot arrive at any level of comfort with any of the AI, personally—deep, deep reservations here! I have noticed images marked “AI modified” popping up on Pinterest, there’s always something “off” about them…but what’s scary is that the “smarter” AI gets, soon we won’t be able to tell what’s real and what isn’t 😳
Yes—I have seen a lot of these things come up, like ads that include humans, etc but actually were completely made using AI. I can see how these types of ads could be faster, cheaper, maybe even easier—but I also think it’s always worth asking the question, “What’s being lost, here?”
This was encouragement to me as I still pluck away at a keyboard wondering if the AI machine will beat me to the punch. I needed the reminder that I have the Holy Spirit and no creative endeavor directed by the Spirit will return fruitless.
Thoughtfully written! It resonates with me, thank you for articulating so well what is lost when technology replaces human interaction, and becomes our god inadvertently. Wow did the garden of Eden analogy cut me to the heart… In general, Setting boundaries for how tech is used is so vital to us as individuals and society as a whole, yet so few count the cost of not setting boundaries with technology. Thank you, D, for your writing!
Michael, thanks for weighing in with such a thoughtful comment! I agree—we desperately need boundaries around technology. I know I do; I have experienced a certain soul-sickness from NOT having clear boundaries with how much I allow it to infiltrate my life. I think it can really make us feel a bit anemic when we reach for this apple, when in fact we were made for life in the Garden.
I have similar reservations about using AI for creative work. But I also have used it quite successfully almost as an assistant (to help me with a schedule, to pare down 100 words into 30, to map out a family vacation, etc). Where is the line? I’m not entirely sure. It’s never written a poem or a song I liked better than my own; it’s always missing the human (Holy Spirit?) element. It is good for us to go through the trouble and the effort of the creative process. But I am also grateful for the ways it has made certain tasks easier for me. Either way, I support your dinosaur stance 🦕
Sarah, thanks for responding so thoughtfully. I know MANY people who use AI to help them manage their small businesses, make their day-to-day tasks easier, and even manage their fitness plans! Heck, my husband used AI last night to help with listing a real estate property! And I definitely see the value in that, and respect when it's used *as a robot* to help with tasks. My real grind is simply when it's replacing creative work or collaborative work, discounting the value of human interaction and spirit. That's where it seems to wade into unethical waters, and where I believe it's important to say, "No further."
I feel the same distinction, but then my spirit wondered — what makes a work creative? Can such mental tasks also be a creative work, and am I missing a human opportunity by outsourcing even those? I’m glad we are thinking about these things, my friend.
Such important questions, Sarah. I wonder about them, too.
Whoops, that was to be ”menial” tasks
Same. So well put, friend! My husband has also used it to troubleshoot/figure out things like our garden beds and how much material we needed to fill them, which I appreciate as was mentioned above in the strictly “robot assistant” sense but still cannot arrive at any level of comfort with any of the AI, personally—deep, deep reservations here! I have noticed images marked “AI modified” popping up on Pinterest, there’s always something “off” about them…but what’s scary is that the “smarter” AI gets, soon we won’t be able to tell what’s real and what isn’t 😳
Yes—I have seen a lot of these things come up, like ads that include humans, etc but actually were completely made using AI. I can see how these types of ads could be faster, cheaper, maybe even easier—but I also think it’s always worth asking the question, “What’s being lost, here?”
Here here!
This was encouragement to me as I still pluck away at a keyboard wondering if the AI machine will beat me to the punch. I needed the reminder that I have the Holy Spirit and no creative endeavor directed by the Spirit will return fruitless.
You will always, always be more divinely wondrous & imaginative than AI. It’s got nothing on you!
Thoughtfully written! It resonates with me, thank you for articulating so well what is lost when technology replaces human interaction, and becomes our god inadvertently. Wow did the garden of Eden analogy cut me to the heart… In general, Setting boundaries for how tech is used is so vital to us as individuals and society as a whole, yet so few count the cost of not setting boundaries with technology. Thank you, D, for your writing!
Michael, thanks for weighing in with such a thoughtful comment! I agree—we desperately need boundaries around technology. I know I do; I have experienced a certain soul-sickness from NOT having clear boundaries with how much I allow it to infiltrate my life. I think it can really make us feel a bit anemic when we reach for this apple, when in fact we were made for life in the Garden.
I’m with you, Deidre. A hard no.
Deidre,
An apt metaphor to the fruit. We are on the precipice of a great cliff.
I feel this, too.
I just read an article about Gen Z moving away from smartphones for this very reason. Your words are prophetic and needed my friend!
WOW, yes. You always hit home with your words, Deidre.