AI & The Disruption To Creative Jobs

For many years, I personally believed that creative jobs were among the safest career paths.

From film and music to art and design, it was assumed that these fields were thought to be the most immune to automation and the disruptive effects of AI technology.

However, with the meteoric rise of artificial intelligence from software such as ChatGPT and Midjourney, it is really testing long held assumptions, and revealing that no career choice is completely safe from disruption, ironically enough, especially creatives.

For example, one of the areas where AI is clearly making the biggest impact is in graphic design. With the help of machine learning algorithms, AI can now create images, logos, and other design elements that are virtually indistinguishable from those made by human designers, and in super quick time too.

I’ve helped make brand guidelines that took days to put together, and it seems like this process is now but a mere few clicks. This is already leading to the displacement of some designers, and it's likely that more will follow as this tech continues to rapidly improve.

Alright, maybe some of AI generated content isn't that good just yet, but it is definitely getting better.

The development of AI-powered software like Midjourney is making it possible to recreate photos and other visual media with remarkable accuracy. Jobs that involve photography and other forms of visual art could be at risk of automation (or taken over by bots) in the not-too-distant future.

For example you can now get AI headshots done quickly, without ever needing to hire a photographer.

On the other hand, jobs that involve complex problem-solving and strategic thinking, such as management consulting and engineering, are apparently likely to remain safe from the claws of AI. However, I’m not so sure that complex problem-solving jobs are safe at all, and we should assume that the AI can and will get good at complex-solving, with minimal human input, so I think it's best to take a never say never approach when thinking about AI disruption to careers.

Let’s ask ChatGPT what is safe in April 2023:

I’m not convinced by the response, it’s stated that it is difficult to predict and that makes me slightly cynical about what is coming.

But while the rise of AI is certainly cause for concern for those in creative fields, it's not all bad news.

It's important to remember that there will always be a need for human creativity, intuition, and empathy in many fields. By staying on top of emerging technologies and continuing to develop skills that are hard to replicate, we can position ourselves for success in a rapidly-changing job market.

As a creative, we should be thinking in new, more positive ways on how AI can actually help our jobs for example:

• Leveraging the tech to create unique and innovative marketing campaigns.
• What will engaging interfaces for digital products and services look like?
• How do we create immersive experiences that transport users to new worlds?
• How do we build meaningful relationships with audiences?

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Confidence in taste and execution of ideas, is what I believe will make the future creators stand out from the pack.