Creativity in an AI world: Kalle Hellzén
Read insights from creative experts across a spectrum of disciplines, and discover how they're using generative AI as a supplement, not a substitute, for creativity.
Kalle Hellzén is an artist and former creative leader. He uses his unique colorblind perspective to create art using traditional and digital means. Approaching the AI topic as an explorer and artist, his insights look at the technology as a means of accessibility and assistance.
Toby: What do you find exciting about generative AI?
Kalle: It excites me quite a lot thanks to its ability to enhance the productivity and depth of creative exploration. This technology transcends merely accelerating creative tasks; it fundamentally expands the horizons of our imagination. By automating the more mundane aspects of the process, generative AI empowers us to delve headfirst into our creative visions, enabling the exploration of new ideas and concepts with unprecedented freedom and efficiency.
Toby: Which creative roles do you think could be most easily replaced by, or augmented by, AI?
Kalle: While automation may replace specific tasks to streamline efficiency, often motivated by economic considerations, the true potential of generative AI lies in its capacity to augment creative processes. This productivity enhancement allows creatives to achieve more intricate and complex outputs in less time, transforming the creative landscape and opening new avenues for innovation and artistic expression.
Toby: Do you think generative AI needs regulation - and how does that idea connect with creativity?
Kalle: Yes, it undeniably needs regulatory measures to tackle copyright infringements and unethical usage. Establishing clear guidelines ensures that AI is an ally to human creativity, fostering an environment where innovation can benefit everyone.
Toby: Although generative AI makes it easier and more accessible to be creative, do you think there’s a diluting effect on that creativity because of how accessible it is?
Kalle: The accessibility does not, in my perspective, dilute creativity. The prevalent conformity within today's creative sectors is a product of market-driven conservatism and risk aversion. Popular generative AI is often trained on these prevalent datasets and mirrors this blandness. However, AI presents a valuable opportunity to elevate artists intent on making a meaningful impact by designing datasets based on their work.
Toby: So, is it easier or harder to be creative now compared with 5 years ago, with generative AI creating a sort of simulated creativity so easily?
Kalle: The dynamic nature of creativity has always navigated between being effortlessly intuitive and profoundly problematic. The emergence of generative AI has simplified certain aspects of productivity and innovation, allowing for a more accessible exploration of new concepts. Yet, creating anything devised to connect and resonate on a broad scale often falls as flat as ever. It's crucial to acknowledge that creativity's core value and opportunity lies in its inherent reward—the personal fulfillment and joy experienced by the creator. Emphasizing the importance of "me" first is not just a practice in authenticity but a prerequisite for crafting anything that carries a meaningful impact beyond the individual creator. In this light, creativity today is the same as five years ago; if we enjoy the ride, we can make things others will too.