Generative AI has become an everyday partner and a powerful tool for creators, businesses, educators, doctors, you name it. AI is everywhere. Many initially believed that AI would have limited impact on jobs requiring high levels of critical thinking. Traditional art forms such as design, content creation, copywriting, and others demand significant creative and analytical skills, and have typically taken time to master and produce. But now, with a well crafted prompt, people can generate high quality content that once required years of technical expertise in just seconds.
This is a concern for people who spent years developing their craft and who rely on it for their livelihood.
Among all affected groups, creators were the first to feel the impact of AI. Platforms like DaVinci, Firefly, and other image-generative AI tools now allow people to produce art in the style of Picasso, Van Gogh, and others. In fact, those artists were fortunate to have lived in a time without generative tools. Scarcity drives demand and so it was with traditional art. Today, anyone with basic computer knowledge can become an “artist.”
But are these tools really a threat or a blessing?
Take GitHub Copilot, for example, an AI-powered pair programmer that helps write code. It doesn’t necessarily replace IT professionals. Instead, a person with knowledge of programming languages and prompt engineering can greatly amplify their productivity. In this way, AI creates a level playing field for small businesses that can’t afford to hire full time creators or technicians.
Large businesses have historically thrown money at creators, and that investment has had a significant impact on their growth. But with the rise of AI, anyone can now produce professional grade content without spending large sums on creators.
Are there any threats beyond job loss?
Yes. Intellectual property rights violations are among the most common concerns. AI systems often rely on existing data, which can lead to legal disputes when creators find their work used without permission. Additionally, there’s a lack of clear governance around AI in most countries. Since the internet makes the world more interconnected than ever, we need a global governance framework to manage AI responsibly.
The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit held on February 10, 2025, chaired by France and co-chaired by India, was a commendable step towards ensuring accountability and transparency in AI development.
Generative AI may be the evolution in information arena since the invention of the printing press in 1439. While it brings disruption to traditional jobs, it also offers an unprecedented opportunity to boost productivity. For creators, the need of the hour is to learn generative tools and adapt to the rapidly changing landscape.