AI quashes free-thinking,

and as a result, our creative instincts.

Whether it is your corporate Co-Pilot AI that does all your work emails,

your casual chats with ChatGPT about life and relationships,

using AI for heavy lifting in work tasks,

or whatever it may be,

it all adds up.

Now there's a difference between misusing AI

and optimising workflow with AI.

AI isn't the bad guy per se,

it's a tool that can be utilised effectively,

but in moderation and with control,

because it can slowly build dependency

between you and it,

man and machine,

and you don't want to become a cyborg now,

do you, Reader?

When we apply AI to the arts and to creative endeavours,

the dangers shift dramatically as art is inherently a human expression,

not something to be soullessly imitated and instantly produced like a corporate email.

Our best way to protect ourselves from it is simple:

Do not use AI during any part of the creative process.

Not even for ideation or editing.

Da Vinci didn't need to ideate with an AI to create his works,

neither did Einstein use one to run his thought experiments,

or Shakespeare use it to edit his iconic tragedies.

There is a common thread here.

Great work is produced by focused minds,

and AI battles to nudge us out of focus,

and take the wheel.

Publishers and arts companies now explicitly warn against AI use in any part of the creation stage,

due to numerous copyright lawsuits and legal issues, but also due to the nature of artistic integrity.

So always rely on your own artistic instincts,

even if they breed imperfections,

which they undoubtedly will,

because it's proof your work is human,

and not perfectly polished robotic output.

Creative Update

I've locked in my set for my upcoming poetry headline next Sunday (find ticket details below),

and it's been fun trying to organise a setlist that will engage and be varied enough to entertain on the day.

I've realised that consistent engagement with creativity is a life hack,

as I've been immersing myself in it for many years and I see the benefits before me,

be they career opportunities or the mental bliss and stimulation

of being able to imagine things into existence

that were not there to begin with.

Upcoming Opportunties

One-to-One Private Creative Coaching Services

I'm offering one-to-one creative coaching for those who wish to reconnect with or work on their art.

If you need any form of creative support, be it for a specific project, learning craft, or building creative mindset, reply to this email and we can get the ball rolling.

This offer is exclusive to my mailing list (you) for now. Spaces limited.

The Eric Gregory Awards - The Society of Authors

[...] for a collection [of poems] by poets under the age of 30 [...] [The Awards were] founded in 1960 by the late Dr Eric Gregory for the encouragement of young poets.
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Winners of the Eric Gregory Awards are invited to a free solo week residency at Thomas Cottage.

Catch Me Next

All the best,

Bilal Psyche Akram