In the evolving world of an artificial intelligence (AI) Internet, many fear that automation and machine learning could replace human roles. However, human ingenuity can outshine what AI can ever accomplish. This article explores the essence of how Creatives can rise in the age of AI and highlights the unique contributions that creatives need to rise, and why we need human-centred design.

In creative fields like photography. the concept of a hit rate, the ratio of successful shots to the total taken reflects a professional’s skill and vision. A photographer may take hundreds of photos, but only a few capture a moment’s true essence. Photographers spend years honing their craft not to take the best photo, however to improve their creative eye and make every photo a hit. This principle of seeing hidden gems also applies to writing, design, and other creative domains.

AI, at its core, generates high volumes of content without the understanding that comes from human intuition and experience. And when you need to augment an prompt, it will generate new data not expanding on the original prompt.

A concern with AI-generated content is the risk of creating a cycle of mediocrity. If simple AI content leads to simpler audience tastes, this could create a loop where content becomes more bland, homogenised and repetitive. This scenario could dilute the richness of human culture, leading to a world filled with mundane and predictable creations.

Imagine the first fully AI-produced Hollywood blockbuster. Technically it would be a feet in itself, however would lack the depth, unpredictability, and emotional resonance that a human team of creativity brings. Creatives add chaos, novelty, uniqueness and authenticity to their work, breaking this cycle by creating content that resonates with audiences in fresh and meaningful ways.

The Dark Forest Theory describes a universe where staying hidden is key to survival. This concept now reflects the internet’s evolving landscape, where scraper bots mining data for AI have caused a fracturing of online spaces. Platforms like Reddit have started using robots.txt files to block these scrapers, hiding valuable user-generated content from search engines and AI.

This has led to a more fragmented internet, where genuine discussions and insights are becoming less accessible named the Cozy Web by maggie appleton, leaving search engines filled with generic or generated, SEO-driven content. As a result, search results are becoming stale and less diverse, filled with SEO-optimised content that lacks the authentic, rich discussions.

When discussing AI’s role in creative processes, it’s crucial to differentiate between a tool and a tool-shaped object. Consider the craftsmanship of old furniture versus modern, cheaper alternatives. The former is designed with a deep understanding of its purpose to last, while the latter may only mimic its form only to be aesthetically pleasing and last a season.

This analogy extends to AI in creativity as AI-generated content can often be tool-shaped. it might look polished and impressive on the surface but when you look at it closer, it lacks the depth, context, and intention that come from human creativity. AI tools are excellent at replicating styles or generating large volumes of content, but they often lack the purpose-driven design that makes creative work truly meaningful and impactful.

The rise of AI-generated content in the creative space presents a significant challenge: the overwhelming presence of regurgitated material that lacks originality and depth. AI tools rely on existing data to produce content, often mimicking popular trends, styles, or topics without providing new insights or unique perspectives. 

This flood of repetitive, surface-level content oversaturates the market, making it harder for truly original and meaningful work to stand out. In this landscape, creatives must focus on what AI cannot replicate—authenticity, emotional depth, Human insite, and unique viewpoints.

The conversation around AI’s role should shift from replacement to augmentation. AI can automate routine tasks, freeing humans to engage in more meaningful, creative endeavours. For example, some corporate leaders see parametric modelling, a technology that uses rules to generate 3D models, as a way to reduce the workforce drastically. Others, however, see it as an opportunity to amplify human capability, allowing teams to achieve more in the same amount of time.

AI should be viewed not as a final solution but as a tool that enhances human work. When integrated thoughtfully, AI can coexist with human creativity in a symbiotic relationship, amplifying what humans can achieve. However, to realise this potential, humans must remain at the centre of the creative process, ensuring that technology enhances, rather than replaces the human touch.

What Now?

The rise of AI in creative fields presents both challenges and opportunities. By focusing on the unique strengths of human creativity, vision, intuition, and the ability to resonate on a deeply personal level creatives can thrive.

There is a future where technology can support human creativity. However AI is a tool, and you need to use it that brings value to people.  By doing so, creatives can ensure that technology amplifies the richness of the human experience rather than diminishing it.

Thank you for reading, and if you found a part of this useful. Share so it can help others.

Also go come check out my channel on YouTube