Four Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Generative Artificial Intelligence
By: Maggie Yap
-Zoe Mendelson, Personal Interview, February 23, 2024
“I mean, we're all sort of floundering…my journalism world is really feeling the pinch. I mean, so many people have gotten laid off in the last two years. It's staggering. And those jobs aren't coming back. And part of that is the way that private equity is sort of hollowing out the whole industry, and another part of it is AI also… I don't know what we're gonna do… I have no idea.”
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Introduction:
The advent of generative artificial intelligence (AI) represents a significant milestone in technology history, akin to the printing press, camera, and internet. Each reshaped human creativity and communication, expanding information access while disrupting traditional industries and practices. Today, generative AI is transforming creative industries by blending human ingenuity with algorithmic precision. This shift extends beyond technology, prompting a reevaluation of cultural, ethical, and economic aspects of creativity. The integration of generative AI into creative workflows presents an intriguing paradox. On one hand, it democratizes access to creative tools, enabling a wider array of individuals to engage in artistic endeavors without the prerequisite of specialized skills or training. This technological evolution fosters a landscape where creativity is no longer the sole purview of trained professionals but is accessible to a broader community, potentially enriching the cultural fabric with a diversity of voices and perspectives (Lee, 2022). On the other hand, generative AI challenges traditional views on authorship and the role of human agency in the arts, with its ability to produce original works from texts and paintings to music compositions (Piskopani, Chamberlain, & Ten Holter, 2023).
The rise of generative AI engenders profound questions about the essence of creativity. If machines can produce works that are indistinguishable from—or even superior to—those created by humans, what implications does this have for the value we assign to human creativity? As AI technologies become more sophisticated and pervasive, there is growing concern about their impact on employment within these industries. The fear of job displacement looms large, with AI's capacity to automate tasks traditionally performed by humans posing a direct challenge to the livelihoods of many creative professionals (Lăzăroiu & Rogalska, 2023). Yet, history teaches us that technological advancements often lead to the transformation rather than the elimination of jobs, necessitating a reevaluation of skills and roles within the workforce (Cardon et al., 2023). Furthermore, the ease with which AI can replicate and innovate upon existing creative works brings forth pressing ethical and legal considerations, particularly regarding copyright infringement and the protection of intellectual property (Schneider, 2023). The cases of Andersen et al. v. Stability AI Ltd., Kadrey v. Meta Platforms, and others underscore these legal complexities and copyright challenges posed by generative AI.As such, this capstone project embarks on a critical exploration of the impacts of generative AI within creative professions, delving into the nuanced dynamics between the technology's potential benefits and its associated challenges.
MADISON P. JONES, PHD - THE ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE
Dr. Madison P. Jones, Assistant Professor at URI and leader of the DWELL Lab, integrates digital and visual communication methods, including augmented reality, into his research on the rhetoric of science, focusing on using locative media for environmental advocacy and storytelling through a social justice lens, as supported by organizations like the National Endowment for the Humanities and detailed on his website, madisonpjones.com. Jones offers a perspective deeply rooted in academic inquiry and pedagogical implications of generative AI. His view aligns with the historical context of technological disruptions, suggesting that while AI introduces significant changes, it also provides opportunities for creative evolution and educational enhancement. Jones observes that "Generative tech is in its phase right now that is particularly disruptive" (Jones, Personal Interview, April 1, 2024), echoing the sentiment found in Lee's (2022) discussion on the transformative effects of AI on creative industries.
Jones is optimistic about the democratization of technology, suggesting that "Technologies are becoming a little more democratic" (Jones, Personal Interview, April 1, 2024), which facilitates wider access to creative tools and could lead to an educational revolution. This perspective is supported by Cardon et al. (2023), who advocate for AI literacy, underscoring the need for educational institutions to adapt to this technological paradigm. Jones highlights the necessity of integrating AI into educational frameworks: "An opportunity for us in higher ed to rethink some of the ways we're thinking about teaching" (Jones, Personal Interview, April 1, 2024). This reflects the broader academic consensus that AI tools like ChatGPT are not just utilities but also partners in the educational process, capable of enhancing learning and creativity.
Zoe Mendelson - The Freelancer's Experience
Zoe Mendelson is a prolific writer and researcher whose diverse work has received critical acclaim and global recognition, featuring in major publications and earning prestigious awards, while her book, Pussypedia: A Comprehensive Guide, achieved #1 on Amazon and was translated into five languages. Mendelson provides a personal and somewhat stark contrast to Jones's optimism as her experience as a freelancer affected by AI reflects the challenges of displacement and the emotional toll of job loss, illustrating the immediate personal impacts of AI in the creative sector. Mendelson’s narrative brings to life the concept of "de-humanization" of creativity discussed by Lee (2022), as she details her personal losses due to AI: "I used to have a lot of translation, copy editing, work that has just completely disappeared because people use software for it now" (Mendelson, Personal Interview, February 23, 2024).
Her emotional response underscores the deep personal impact of AI: "That f**king sucked. I had so much, you know, sort of steady work that I'd come to depend on for like seven years, and I got replaced by a computer" (Mendelson, Personal Interview, February 23, 2024). This direct impact echoes the broader economic shifts noted by Schneider (2023), who discusses the challenges to traditional notions of intellectual property and labor in the face of AI advancements. “I don't know what kinds of jobs are going to be safe from this… learn a trade, learn plumbing, learn electric, like, repair like electric infrastructure, do bodywork, you know, go to massage school? Yeah. I don't know. I mean, like graphic design and UX, like, that's also going to be done by AI” (Mendelson, Personal Interview, February 23, 2024). Mendelson’s experiences exemplify the adverse effects of these disruptions, highlighting a significant shift in how creative labor is valued in the digital age.
ADAM WIENER - THE EXECUTIVE'S INSIGHT
Adam Wiener, founder of Continuous Media LLC and recipient of the 2021 NAB Digital Leadership Award, has a rich background in digital media, including launching CBSN Local for CBS Television Stations and becoming the youngest Executive Producer at CBS News. Wiener’s perspective bridges the gap between technological potential and practical application in the media industry. He recognizes AI's capacity to enhance content production and distribution, aligning with the views of Lăzăroiu & Rogalska (2023), who discuss AI's role in augmenting labor productivity. Wiener sees AI as a tool for innovation within media: "AI affords the opportunity for smart companies to utilize AI to create more content at a pace that they didn't think was possible before" (Wiener, Personal Interview, March 8, 2024). The bar chart below outlines the internal business processes improved by AI, with production processes, search engine optimization tasks, and process automation each being utilized by over half of 600 business owners in a survey commissioned by Forbes Advisor. This supports Wiener’s call to action by reflecting AI's critical role in enhancing productivity and operational efficiency within companies (Forbes Advisor, 2023).​
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However, Wiener is cautious about the implications of AI, emphasizing the need for human oversight to ensure ethical use and quality: "It still requires human oversight, and it still requires human intervention" (Wiener, Personal Interview, March 8, 2024). His comments reflect a balanced view where AI complements rather than replaces human efforts, which resonates with the need for a responsible approach to AI deployment in creative fields as discussed by Piskopani et al. (2023). ​
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Some of Wiener’s concerns are reflected in the bar chart above that showcases the various concerns business owners have regarding the use of artificial intelligence. This chart illustrates the broad spectrum of apprehensions that businesses have as they integrate AI into their operations, however, indicates that the majority of the 600 surveyed business owners are unconcerned with these issues (Forbes Advisor, 2023).
Brian Sheppard - The Legal Expert’s Viewpoint
Brian Sheppard, S.J.D., the Associate Dean for JD & Graduate Admissions at Seton Hall University School of Law, leverages his extensive legal and educational expertise to research the impact of legal language on behavior and law interpretation by computers, publishes widely in top journals, and frequently contributes to discussions on legal technology and justice issues in major media outlets. Sheppard delves into the legal complexities introduced by generative AI, particularly focusing on the challenges it poses to copyright law and privacy. His analysis is crucial in understanding the legal landscape as AI technologies increasingly interact with creative outputs. When asked about how the use of generative AI aligns with professional and ethical standards in the creative industry, Sheppard (2024) remarked that the debate on recognizing AI as authors under copyright law balances its potential to enhance artistic and scientific advancements with the need to preserve copyright's core purpose of incentivizing human-led innovation. This discussion centers on whether AI's contributions to creativity should align with legal standards that traditionally promote human authorship to foster original work. Sheppard’s insights into the potential for AI to infringe upon copyrights are underscored by recent legal discussions and cases (Perkins Coie LLP, 2023). He points out the critical need for legal frameworks to evolve in tandem with technological advancements to protect creators: “I don’t expect legislature to be ahead of this… court decisions using existing law is where decisions are going to be the front-runner in predicting how this is going to go” (Sheppard, Personal Interview, February 25, 2024).
Sheppard's perspective is particularly valuable when considering the ethical implications of AI-generated content and its potential to disrupt existing legal norms around copyright and privacy. His concerns are reflective of the ongoing debates in the legal field about how to attribute authorship and protect intellectual property in the age of AI, aligning with Schneider’s (2023) discussions on the evolving concepts of ownership and creativity.
Connecting the Perspectives
Collectively, these interviews provide a multidimensional view of generative AI's impact across various sectors of the creative industry. While Jones and Wiener highlight the transformative and productive potential of AI, Mendelson and Sheppard bring attention to the challenges and potential pitfalls, particularly in terms of job displacement and legal ambiguities. These differing perspectives underscore the complex interplay between innovation and tradition, echoing the broader academic and professional discourse on generative AI’s role in reshaping creative and legal landscapes. This discourse is crucial in navigating the evolving relationship between technology, creativity, and society, urging a balanced approach that fosters innovation while safeguarding ethical and professional standards.
Synthesis of Perspectives & Conclusion
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The future of AI in the creative industries combines vast opportunities with significant challenges, necessitating a comprehensive approach that integrates educational reforms, ethical considerations, labor protections, and dynamic legal frameworks. Education systems, as Jones and Cardon et al. (2023) advocate, must evolve to include AI literacy that addresses ethical implications and potential biases, preparing professionals for an AI-augmented world. Ethically and from a labor perspective, the need for robust support for those displaced by AI—such as retraining and legal protections to ensure fair compensation—is highlighted by experiences like Mendelson's and discussions by Schneider (2023) and Lăzăroiu & Rogalska (2023). Legally, the insights from Sheppard emphasize the urgency for copyright law to adapt to AI's challenges to safeguard creators' rights without hindering innovation, with ongoing cases (Perkins Coie LLP, 2023) likely shaping future intellectual property norms. A collaborative approach involving all stakeholders—legal experts, creatives, technologists, and policymakers—is essential to navigate these complexities effectively, aiming to balance innovation with protection and ensure AI's integration enhances rather than diminishes the creative sector.
REFERENCES
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Cardon, P., Fleischmann, C., Aritz, J., Logemann, M., & Heidewald, J. (2023). The Challenges and Opportunities of AI-Assisted Writing: Developing AI Literacy for the AI Age. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly, 86(3), 257-295. https://doi.org/10.1177/23294906231176517​
Haan, K. (2023, April 24). How Businesses Are Using Artificial Intelligence In 2023 (R. Watts, Ed.). Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/ai-in-business/​
Lazaroiu, G., & Rogalska, E. (2023). How generative artificial intelligence technologies shape partial job displacement and labor productivity growth. Oeconomia Copernicana, 14(3), 703-706.​
Lee, H.-K. (2022). Rethinking creativity: Creative industries, AI, and everyday creativity. Media, Culture & Society, 44(3), 601-612. https://doi.org/10.1177/01634437221077009
​Perkins Coie LLP. (2023, December 14). Recent Rulings in AI Copyright Lawsuits Shed Some Light, but Leave Many Questions. Perkins Coie. https://www.perkinscoie.com/en/news-insights/recent-rulings-in-ai-copyright-lawsuits-shed-some-light-but-leave-many-questions.html​
Piskopani, A. M., Chamberlain, A., & Ten Holter, C. (2023). Responsible AI and the Arts: The Ethical and Legal Implications of AI in the Arts and Creative Industries. In Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Trustworthy Autonomous Systems (TAS '23) (Art. 48). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/3597512.3597528​
Schneider, F. (2023). Imaginary property: The rise of artificial intelligence is disrupting creative processes and challenging constructs of ownership and intellectual property. Architectural Review, 110–114.