The AI Revolution
The AI Revolution: A Creator’s Perspective
By David Beck
As I sit here, quill in hand (or rather, fingers poised over my keyboard), I can’t help but ponder the Shakespearean drama unfolding in the world of creativity. “To AI, or not to AI?” That is indeed the question.
The stage is set with a cast of characters: the noble artists, the upstart AI, and us mere mortals caught in between. It’s a tale of transformation, inspiration, and yes, a dash of controversy.
“Technology is morally neutral until we apply it. It’s only as good or as bad as the people who use it.” — William Gibson
The Role of AI in Visual Arts
Many painters and illustrators have raised their brushes in anger, decrying AI image generation as a cheapening of their craft. “Out, damned bot!” they cry. But soft! What light through yonder pixel breaks? It is the east, and AI is the sun.
Tools like Fooocus aren’t here to replace artists but to inspire them. They’re the digital equivalent of a sketch pad, allowing creators to rapidly iterate on ideas. And let’s not forget the magic behind the curtain — transformer technology. These AI models don’t simply regurgitate; they extrapolate, combining elements from vast datasets to produce genuinely novel works. It’s less photocopier, more fever dream of a savant who’s swallowed an art gallery.
“AI is not about replacing human creativity, but amplifying it.” — Ginni Rometty
Here is an example of images created with Fooocus, a free image manipulation tool:
The Impact of AI on Music Production
Visual art is just the overture. Let’s talk music, shall we? I’ve dipped my toes into these AI-infused waters, releasing 20 singles created with Udio.com and distributed far and wide through DistroKid. These tunes now grace the virtual shelves of iTunes, Spotify, and beyond. It’s not my first rodeo, mind you — I’ve previously crafted melodies that have found a merry band of followers on YouTube.
“Tools are only as good as the hands that wield them.” — Author Unknown
The Magic of AI in Video Production
Speaking of YouTube, let’s set the stage for our next act: video production. Enter Synthesia.io, stage left. This clever platform turns prompts and scripts into fully-fledged videos faster than you can say “lights, camera, action!” I’ve conjured up eight videos using this digital sorcery, amassing thousands of views and a tidy sum in YouTube royalties. It’s like having a film crew in your pocket, minus the catering bills.
“Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.” — Theodore Levitt
My YouTube Channel
My relatively small YouTube channel has over 3.5 million views and serves as my creative laboratory. Here, I experiment with new ideas and hone my skills at the intersection of human ingenuity and artificial intelligence. Beyond a mere collection of videos, this channel is a vibrant ecosystem fostering a community of forward-thinkers, exploring new realms of digital expression.
As we navigate a new era in content creation, my channel acts as a testbed to see what works and to give feedback. I’m always fascinated to try new things, despite the detriment to the algorithm through some inconsistencies.
The Enchanted Quills: ChatGPT, Claude, and Llama3
ChatGPT, Claude, and Llama3 are revolutionary technologies. Each with its own personality and quirks. ChatGPT 4o is amicable and cooperative, Claude excels in the creative, especially when requested to play a role, after all, isn’t all the world a stage, and Llama3 is incredibly entertaining and eccentric, which feels more human than the other two models. LM Studio allows models like Llama3 to run on a local PC even utilising the GPU for great performance.
These artificial intelligences are Renaissance polymaths reborn in silicon, weaving tapestries of text across the vast expanse of human knowledge. Their potential uses are as limitless as the stars, with many yet to be discovered.
Picture these digital savants decoding DNA, reviving lost languages, or transforming words across the babel of human tongues.
Their wondrous capabilities include:
— Translating thoughts into Braille’s tactile poetry. -How amazing for accessibility!
⠓⠑⠇⠇⠕⠖ ⠮⠊⠎ ⠊⠎ ⠛⠗⠑⠁⠞⠖
— Conjuring digital realms with code. — I’m incredibly impressed with what these models can generate. (Check out this evolution simulator I made with a little help from ChatGPT and Claude working as a trilogy in Python.)
— Composing symphonies from the ether.
— Creating breathtaking digital art.
— Nurturing minds as adaptive, patient tutors.
As we enter this new era, we can only marvel at tomorrow’s possibilities. These artificial muses are more than machines; they embody humanity’s collective knowledge, inviting us to expand our understanding of creativity and intelligence itself.
In this AI world, we find ourselves amplified — our thoughts expanded, our creativity unleashed. ChatGPT, Claude, and Llama3 are partners in human progress, helping write the next chapter of our species’ story.
The Dawn of Technological Evolution
Technology is still in its infancy, yet we stand on the brink of a transformative era. General intelligence models capable of processing all kinds of data natively could produce autonomous beings, ushering in a new age of innovation and efficiency. While the human brain processes information at approximately 1,000 Hz, silicon chips in modern computers operate at gigahertz speeds, millions of times faster. This immense speed advantage allows AI to analyse vast datasets rapidly, solve complex problems, and make decisions with unparalleled precision. As these models continue to evolve, we can see advancements that revolutionise healthcare, transportation, and countless other fields, ultimately redefining our relationship with technology.
Embracing the AI Revolution
So, dear reader, as we stand at this crossroads of creativity and technology, of danger and reward. New technologies could replace human creativity and imagination or it could enhance it.
They could be the quill to our Shakespeare, or Dante’s Inferno.