For anyone living under a rock, by all accounts, an AI revolution appears to be upon us.
Yes, we’ve talked about using AI for years, but often this leaned more towards wishful thinking around automation than the genuine arrival of the future and sci-fi capabilities. Somehow this time it feels different
This is a probably as a result of it genuinely starting to exceed our own personal capabilities. It pains me to say this, but unless it is in our own personal area of expertise, digitally AI is just better in terms of understanding and getting things done.
What we have seen here is exponential growth, something us humans often struggle to fully grasp. It ticks along for years, appearing to apparently do very little only for to suddenly it explode… “Linear is fine, but what do you mean it keeps doubling, we can’t keep up”.
AI certainly feels like it is falling into this category.
But here we are, and of course now we can all have a team of experts on hand at all times to help, so may as well make the most of it.
Take, for example, my latest AI based project… music.
Now I’m not a natural musician – the most optimistic I could possibly be would be to say, I dabble, but that is it. But, to be able produce something quite this catchy is still amazing.
Not plug and play
That said, whilst I didn’t spend three weeks sweating over decks and synthesisers, it wasn’t plug-and-play either.
What I have been finding is each creation takes input and time to shape, tweak, and design for the final desired output – especially if you want something more creative – I suppose it takes work.
Of course similarly many musicians also play covers or take inspiration from other artists… but it is creating something truly new that is a skill. (just to note musicians of course also play the instruments… another huge skill… and respect for this… but I am not talking live music here).
And as an analogy it feels like this is where we are with AI.
Being first, fast, and creative is quickly becoming a new currency in this evolving environment. We need to have the ideas and know what to do not necessarily know how to do it. (although this helps, esp when thing go wrong or you need custom tweaks! – a topic for another post at a later date).
In this new world, once something is released, it becomes easy to replicate… but the originality, this is what remains hard, and for this there is a premium, a first mover advantage you could say.
Not getting easier
Despite what we may have been promised, this means it AI is unlikely to make our lives easier. If anything, as a results we may all be busier.
Busier using new tools to output more, accelerate our capabilities and generate more new ideas… it is these new ideas that will be the competitive edge.
Using AI to accelerate our learning, to unlock and explore new capabilities is a journey we can all get on.
Rock the Spreadsheets!
For me, for now, that journey currently seems to be music…
It started pretty safe with rock… but tastes evolve. One point found myself passing through a thrash metal phase… minus the long hair and studded jacket… there was just no time… we all do it, I was just (ahem – cough) 40 years too late!
However now I’ve arrived at EDM / Future House… it is growing on me. Is this growing up or just moving into the modern world…. anyway spreadsheets are still a joy… enjoy!
PS – Next track, currently under development: a dance track about the vendor selection process—RFIs and RFPs… I clearly needed a new challenge.
Stay creative, everyone… and go see live music (and comedy!)
