I constantly reflect on the rapid evolution of creative work driven by generative AI, I find myself at a crossroads of excitement and concern. Our landscape of creativity is shifting faster than ever, alongside so many other sectors and while I am deeply engaged in this transformation, I cannot ignore the implications it has for my craft and the community of photographers and creative teams.
The advent of generative AI has opened up unprecedented opportunities for innovation in the creative industries. It allows for the rapid production of content—images, text, and even music—transforming workflows and enabling us to experiment with ideas at an astonishing pace. As someone who has embraced this technology, I appreciate how it enhances efficiency, allowing me to focus more on strategy and conceptualisation rather than getting bogged down in repetitive tasks. Yet, I am acutely aware that this shift comes with a cost.
The ability to generate high-quality images and content with less and less human input, there is a palpable fear among photographers and creative teams about the potential redundancy of their skills. The concern is not unfounded; as AI continues to improve, the demand for traditional photography may diminish. This evolution raises ethical questions about originality, copyright, and the very essence of creativity. How do we define artistic merit when machines can produce work that mimics human creativity? I continue to use AI in my creative process. For me, it is not about replacing human creativity but rather augmenting it. Generative AI serves as a powerful tool that allows me to explore new ideas and push boundaries that might have been previously unattainable. It frees up time for more innovative thinking and experimentation, which is crucial in a competitive industry that demands constant evolution.
However, my heart goes out to those whose livelihoods are threatened by this technological advancement. Photographers and creative teams who have dedicated their lives to mastering their craft are understandably anxious about the future. The rise of AI-generated content could lead to a devaluation of their work—a reality that feels both unfair and disheartening. The creative industries have always been about pushing boundaries and evolving as we experience this extraordinary shift, I do hope that we can see an evolution of peoples talent. Yes there are new opportunities by way of retraining demands for those willing to learn new skills, but is that feasible for all? Obviously this issue is not industry specific as I imagine next year it will mark the shift globally to AI seeing large scale layoffs - Maybe I'm being pessimistic let me know what positives you see in the wake of such a revolution.
Images created for The Richmond project all generated with midjourney.
