It is not uncommon these days to remark on how people of all ages—no longer children alone—are often glued to their smartphones, for one reason or another. The recent advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has added yet another layer to these devices, which were previously dominated by telephone calls, emails, text messages, photography, music, GPS, and documents (in roughly that order of preference). It’s astonishing that so much of what seems to drive current industry and attraction revolves around this one small piece of equipment.
At my advanced age (a phrase I find myself repeating often), most forms of technology, aside from AI, hold little more amusement for me than their practical use. If it seems that I am drawn to AI purely because it is a novelty, I must clarify that I see its capacity for image creation and literary refinement as an important means of self-expression.
In the past, I expressed my creativity through writing—be it diaries, blogs, biographies, autobiography, history, or legal documents—music (piano, organ, guitar), and photography (cameras, electronic devices). I dabbled briefly in hand-drawn art—ink and watercolor—but AI has now emerged as a tool that can tackle all of these forms of artistic expression. Of course, all of these modes of creation still depend on initial input from the artist. For example, the featured image began with these narrative descriptions:
- crashing sea on cliffs
- addition of sailing ship
- add sandy beach
AI image creation also includes the modification of a standard photograph. Here is a photo I took this afternoon while sitting on a park bench overlooking an inlet, followed by its AI interpretation:
- Original unedited photo
- AI interpretation of that photo
I’ve also explored AI’s ability to design heraldic shields. This morning, I had a modern rendition created, which I contrast with a more traditional version:
- Modern
- Traditional
Finally, AI’s ability to “refine” one’s writing has also caught my attention. While this might seem like an easy shortcut for creative writing, it’s important to note that the strength of the final product still derives from the artist’s input. The real value lies in the AI’s ability to help shape and clarify ideas—allowing one to express themselves directly and simply, without unnecessary excess.
I’m the first to admit that my writing style is not always fluid. In fact, I’ve often been criticized for being cumbersome and verbose. While I accept that criticism, I’m quick to point out that AI’s ability to transform my sometimes clunky prose into something more readable is an invaluable tool. I know some might consider using AI in this way as “cheating,” but I would argue that it is no different from using a hammer to drive a nail.
From the moment I first encountered electronic devices in the early 1980s, I’ve always seen algorithms or AI as tools to assist—not to replace the final product. For example, I’ve edited AI-generated outputs, not only in casual writing or images but also in specialized areas like title insurance or Land Titles document production. While these machines are indeed marvelous, their main contribution, in my experience, is speed rather than perfection.
For now, as I explore the many possibilities of artificial intelligence, I remain primarily focused on investigation and experimentation. I’ve yet to conclude that a machine has truly “beaten” me.