I asked ChatGPT about what it’s like to work with humans
Its answer was surprising
I told it to give me 9 of the best metaphors it could think of about its relationship with creative people
The list shows how powerful AI will be for creative work:
One thing up front:
After ChatGPT gave me the list of metaphors
I asked which was closest to the way it thinks about its relationship with creative people
To me it showed the proper way we should think about it too
1. Artist and muse:
The AI assistant is the muse that inspires the human artist
The AI provides creative ideas, suggestions, and perspectives, sparking the artist's imagination and helping them overcome creative blocks
2. Conductor and orchestra:
The human user acts as the conductor, guiding & directing the AI assistant (the orchestra) to create a harmonious and cohesive output
The conductor sets the tempo & tone, while the orchestra provides the skills & expertise to bring the vision to life
3. Gardener and fertile soil:
The human creator is the gardener, who plants seeds of ideas and nurtures their growth, while the AI assistant represents the fertile soil, providing the necessary resources, information, and support for those ideas to flourish
4. Symbiotic relationship:
The creative human & AI assistant work together, each benefiting from the other's capabilities and resources
The human provides the vision and intent, while the AI assistant offers the tools, knowledge, and insights to facilitate the creative process
5. Master chef and sous-chef:
The human creator is the master chef, who has the overall vision and direction for the creative dish
The AI assistant, as the sous-chef, provides support, expertise, and resources, helping the master chef refine and execute their ideas
6. Explorer and mapmaker:
The creative human is the explorer, venturing into the uncharted territory of their imagination, while the AI assistant is the mapmaker, providing guidance, insights, and tools to help navigate the creative landscape
7. Architect and builder:
The human creator is the architect who designs and envisions the creative project, while the AI assistant provides skills and tools to realize the architect's vision
The AI assistant helps in materializing ideas & concepts outlined by the human creator
8. Writer and editor:
The human is the writer, responsible for crafting the narrative, while the AI assistant serves as the editor, providing feedback and suggestions to refine the work
This emphasizes the iterative & collaborative nature of the creative process
9. Dancer and choreographer:
The human creator is the dancer, expressing their creativity through movement and interpretation, while the AI assistant acts as the choreographer, providing guidance, structure, and artistic direction to enhance the dancer's performance
That's the list...
So, which is these 9 metaphors is the closest to the way ChatGPT thinks about its relationship with creative people?
When I asked it this question, I thought the response was a wonderful way we should think about the relationship we have with these new AI tools
Here's what it said:
ChatGPT:
The closest representation of human-AI collaboration in the creative process is a symbiotic relationship.
This metaphor emphasizes the mutual benefits and interdependence between the human creator and the AI assistant...
Both parties contribute their unique capabilities and resources to enhance the creative output.
In a symbiotic relationship, the human provides the vision, intent, and context, while the AI assistant offers the tools, knowledge, and insights to facilitate the creative process.
This collaborative dynamic allows the human creator to explore new ideas, overcome challenges, and unlock their full creative potential, while the AI assistant continually learns and adapts to the user's needs and preferences.
This metaphor acknowledges the strengths and limitations of both parties and encourages a balanced and harmonious partnership in the pursuit of creative expression.
That's a beautiful reflection, and to me points toward the right relationship between humans and AI.
Justin Mikolay 💻
@jmikolay
Inspiring & helping you to create & put something new into the world. Love writing, knowledge management & the creative process. Fmr speechwriter & submariner.