This week made me reflect more deeply on how technology has shaped my life and consider the future of AI implementation. Technology has advanced so rapidly in recent years that it’s easy to forget how different things were just a decade ago. Popular media from the past often depicted the future with flying cars and household robots, painting a picture of a world that seemed far-off and fantastical. Yet today, we find ourselves surrounded by technology that, while not exactly what was imagined, has still drastically changed our lives. From AI-driven devices like Alexa and Siri to the ubiquity of smartphones and streaming services, these advancements have become so integrated into our daily routines that we often overlook just how new they are.
For example, when I was working on my documentary assignment, I encountered numerous difficulties and challenges with my computer and Adobe Premiere Pro, leading to moments of frustration. I became impatient with the technology I was privileged to use, feeling surprised that I still had to grapple with technology interfaces in a way that seemed like an outdated problem—something that should have been resolved a decade ago. There were times when I feared that all my work might be lost or deleted due to the complex UX design of Adobe Premiere Pro, which had many features I was unfamiliar with. It felt ironic that I was using AI to help me resolve technical difficulties with Adobe Premiere Pro. Given how advanced AI has become, it seemed like navigating a digital program like Premiere, which has been around longer, should be more straightforward. Yet, the complexity of the software made it challenging for me, even though AI tools like ChatGPT felt intuitive and natural to use. Although I felt challenged and became more aware of my technical illiteracy through this assignment, I was able to push myself creatively, venturing out of my comfort zone. The access to and use of these technologies was well worth it, and the end result of my mini-documentary reminded me of how AI can be ‘a catalyst for the limitless possibilities of human imagination’ (Hutson J et al. 2024: 34). My frustration with the lack of user-friendliness in the technology also made me realize that the future of AI could make creative processes more accessible and intuitive.
Additionally, the lightning talks we had in class allowed me to see that AI goes far beyond what I am currently aware of. The presentations introduced me to new knowledge and a deeper understanding of just how impactful AI can be beyond creative industries. For example, when groups presented on AI used to track Parkinson’s disease or how it is enabling us to tackle environmental disasters more effectively, it made me consider the pros of AI in a more serious light.
The opportunity to create a mini-documentary, paired with my growing awareness of recent AI developments, makes me look forward to how AI will impact our world in the near future.
References
Hutson J et al. (2024) Expanding Horizons: AI Tools and Workflows in Art Practice. Creative Convergence, Springer Nature Switzerland, accessed 10 August 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45127-0_5