Mind vs Machine. AI & Our Mental Health

The rise of Artificial Intelligence in the creative industries has sparked both excitement and apprehension among creatives. AI has offered innovative tools and efficiencies, however, concerns about redundancy and loss of creative fulfilment loom large. However we choose to feel about it, AI has become increasingly integrated into the creative arena. Music, design, film, writing, there isn’t a genre, niche or skill base it hasn’t filtered through to.

(Photo: Markus Spiske for Unsplash)

As you’d expect, my path to deciding how I feel about AI lies in how it’s affecting us mentally and emotionally, short and long-term. I don’t see that being talked about so much and so, I set out to explore it and here’s what I found.

Always determined to find the positives, I want to offer strategies that you as a creative can employ to safeguard your mental well-being and nurture your creativity amidst the AI revolution, so read to the end. Yep, there’s always some good news.

1. Music

There’s no doubt about it,  AI has revolutionised the music industry, from production, composition to distribution and even how we find and enjoy our music as a consumer. From generating melodies to mastering tracks, AI algorithms are capable of automating various tasks traditionally performed by musicians. While this offers efficiency and accessibility, it also poses challenges to the mental health of musicians. Research by Miell et al. (2012) suggests that musicians often derive satisfaction and fulfilment from the creative process itself. However, reliance on AI-generated music may diminish the sense of personal accomplishment and creative ownership, leading to feelings of alienation and inadequacy among artists.

2. Design

   In the design industry, AI tools assist in tasks such as graphic design, user experience optimisation, and content creation. While these tools enhance productivity, they also introduce new pressures on designers. Research by Mishra et al. (2018) indicates that designers may experience anxiety and stress when adapting to AI technologies, fearing obsolescence or devaluation of their creative skills. Moreover, constant comparison with AI-generated designs may contribute to frustration, anger, self-doubt and even impostor syndrome.

3. Film

   AI is increasingly employed in the film industry for tasks like visual effects, editing, and even scriptwriting. While AI streamlines production processes and reduces costs, it also alters the dynamics of creativity and authorship in filmmaking. Research by Redondo et al. (2020) highlights concerns among filmmakers regarding the loss of artistic control and the homogenisation of content due to reliance on AI-generated elements. This loss of creative autonomy may lead to feelings of frustration and disillusionment.

4.  Writing

AI-powered tools such as language models and natural language processing algorithms are revolutionising the writing process. These tools assist writers in generating content, proofreading, and even suggesting improvements in style and structure. While AI streamlines certain aspects of writing, it also raises questions about the role of human creativity and authorship in the digital age. Research by Wang and Kosinski (2020) suggests that writers may experience anxiety and self-doubt when confronted with AI-generated content that rivals their own work. Moreover, concerns about job security and the devaluation of human creativity in favour of AI algorithms can contribute to feelings of existential dread and professional identity crisis among writers.

So, what on earth can you do to protect yourself and your creativity?

1. Keep Being Human

   While AI excels in certain tasks, it lacks the capacity for human emotion, intuition, and empathy. Creative professionals can leverage their uniquely human attributes to create meaningful and authentic work. Research by Wang and Kosinski (2018) suggests that AI algorithms struggle to replicate the depth and complexity of human emotions, offering creatives a competitive advantage in crafting emotionally resonant content.

2. Make Friends with AI

   Rather than viewing AI as a rival, collaboration with AI tools to enhance your creative processes. Research by Yang et al. (2019) highlights the potential of human-AI collaboration in fostering creativity and innovation. By harnessing AI's capabilities in data analysis, pattern recognition, and ideation, you can augment your own skills and produce more impactful work.

3. Love on Yourself

   Amidst the pressures AI is putting on the creative sector, practising self-compassion is essential for maintaining mental well-being. So, big yourself up. Celebrate your talent, skill and creativity. Research by Neff (2003) demonstrates that self-compassion fosters resilience and reduces anxiety in the face of failure or criticism. Cultivate self-compassion through mindful practices, self-care routines, and seeking support.

4. Keep Learning

   Continuous learning is crucial in adapting to technological advancements. Rather than viewing AI as a threat, embrace it as an opportunity for growth. Research by Scheepers et al. (2020) suggests that individuals who engage in lifelong learning exhibit higher levels of resilience and adaptability, mitigating the fear of redundancy.

In my lengthy experience and humble opinion, what the creative industries do is tell stories: visually, audibly, written and otherwise creatively expressed. We’re capable of eliciting a huge range of emotions, of connecting people and even of making real change happen when we put our minds to it.

At the moment (necessary caveat), AI simply cannot do that. AI is incapable of emotion. It can’t read a human, process feelings, develop empathy – all crucial skills in story creating and telling.

So for now, feel safe, feel needed, know you’re crucial in making the world seem like a brighter, more positive, colourful and creative place to exist because Lord knows, we need that right now, don’t we?

As always, I’d love to know what you think.

TTFN,

Michele

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